It’s been a scorching week in Alexandria, punctuated by two major crime events.

Someone was shot multiple times in an alley several blocks east of the Braddock Metro station last Saturday, followed on Monday afternoon by the city’s fifth homicide this year — the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man on W. Glebe Road in Arlandria.

It is not believed that the incidents are connected.

The Alexandria Police Department is now looking for a silver Nissan Rogue allegedly linked to Monday’s shooting.

No arrests have been announced from either incident, and this week Mayor Justin Wilson, City Manager Jim Parajon and Police Chief Don Hayes asked for the community’s help in identifying the suspects.

Top stories this week:

1. Alexandria ditching ‘pay and display’ parking meters citywide (32618 views)
2. Notes: Many federal employees who report to work Alexandria are still mostly remote (7448 views)
3. Del Ray Gateway project construction to start before end of year, city says (6510 views)
4. Construction suspended for Holiday Inn Express at former Towne Motel site in Old Town North (5346 views)
5. ACPS ignores Gov. Youngkin’s recommended policies on treatment of transgender students (4829 views)
6. DEVELOPING: Man transported to hospital in critical condition after shooting in Arlandria (4747 views)
7. Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza opening before end of year in Old Town North, owner says (3857 views)
8. Duke Street affordable apartment complex ‘Witter Place’ could be ready by late 2025, developer says (3598 views)
9. Arlington man busted for allegedly selling stolen car to Alexandria man on Facebook Marketplace (2509 views)

Have a safe weekend!

A longtime Alexandria City Public Schools educator and an assistant principal from Fairfax County Public Schools are the finalists for the principal position at Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS) in Del Ray.

Jen Hamilton, the ACPS dual language coordinator, and Eneida Thomas, the assistant principal at Braddock Elementary School, answered questions Monday night in a Zoom meet-and-greet moderated by former Alexandria City High School principal John Porter.

With more than 800 students, MVCS is the largest elementary school in Alexandria and is known for its dual language program. The job opened up after former MVCS Principal Liza Burrell-Aldana, the Washington Post’s 2023 Principal of the Year, resigned last month.

Porter said that the resignation prompted the school system to quickly hire a replacement, and candidates will interview with Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt on Thursday, July 13. The new principal is expected to be hired by the School Board in a special meeting on Thursday, July 20, according to ACPS.

An ACPS community survey on the MVCS principal position is also open until tomorrow and comments will be sent to Key-Wyatt in a memo.

The new principal is expected to start work before the beginning of the next school year in August. The salary for the job is between $118,000 and $181,000.

Hamilton was an assistant principal at MVCS from 2018 to 2022, and was hired by the school system in 2014 as an English learner specialist. She started her career as an English as a Second Language teacher in Prince William County Public Schools in 2006. She has a Master’s Degree in teaching English as a second language from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and linguistics from Georgetown. She said that she would continue building MVCS to be a model dual language school.

“I’m not a candidate who is seeking a principalship somewhere,” Hamilton said. “I’m a candidate who is seeking a principalship here specifically at Mount Vernon, which is a school that I’ve served at for the last five years and where I feel a commitment to and a passion for the students, staff, community and program.”

Eneida Thomas is one of three assistant principals at Braddock Elementary School in Annandale. Her career in education began 25 years ago as a kindergarten teacher at a charter school in D.C., followed by more a decade as a special education teacher, and an eight-year stint as an assistant principal at Metz Middle School in Manassas. Born and raised in Panama, she moved to the U.S. when she was 19 years old and received a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from George Mason University, a Master’s Degree from GMU in educational leadership and a Master’s in special education from Regent University.

“I’ll be a champion for students and staff ensuring that your needs are met in a safe orderly learning environment,” Thomas said. “I will also have high expectations for students, staff and families, yet providing them with the support resources and tools that are needed to be successful. Read More

Tonight, residents can meet the two final candidates for the principal position at Mount Vernon Community School (2601 Commonwealth Avenue) on Zoom.

After tonight’s meet-and-greet, the finalists to lead the Del Ray school will interview with Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt on Thursday and the new principal is expected to be hired by the School Board in a special meeting on Thursday, July 20.

The candidates, whose identities aren’t yet public, will meet with community stakeholders on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

“We expect to have a new principal in place before the start of the new school year,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt wrote in a June 26 letter.

Former MVCS Principal Liza Burrell-Aldana, who was named the Washington Post’s 2023 Principal of the Year, resigned last month.

Kay-Wyatt said that the process is being run by former Alexandria City High School Principal John Porter and Rene Pachal, the acting executive director of ACPS human resources.

“Ultimately, the selected principal will be a school leader who can provide excellent educational, social, and personal outcomes for students, staff, parents, and the community,” Pachal wrote.

An ACPS community survey on the MVCS principal position is also open until Wednesday.

The salary for the principal position is between $118,000 and $181,000. More details from the MVCS principal job listing are below.

Read More

Longtime Alexandria City Public Schools administrator Alexander Duncan III was formally announced last night as the new executive principal of  Alexandria City High School.

Duncan, the ACHS Minnie Howard Campus administrator, will replace ACHS Executive Principal Beter Balas, who announced his departure last month.

“I am so thankful to have the opportunity to expand on all I have learned and experienced to our awesome Alexandria City High School community,” Duncan said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, the administrative team will be hard at work planning for the upcoming school year. We are both reflecting and developing action steps so we may effectively serve our ACHS community this August and into the school year.”

ACHS, with 4,173 students spread across two campuses, is the second-largest high school in Virginia. The executive principal salary is between $142,000 to $197,000 a year.

Duncan was hired by the school system as a middle school English teacher in 2007, and is a former ACHS assistant principal and summer school principal. He’s been in his current role since 2021, and has a bachelor’s in English from Johnson C. Smith University and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Trinity College.

Duncan said in a recent interview that he will hold meet-and-greet sessions this summer.

Duncan’s full message on the ACHS page is below.

Read More

It’s a day of happiness in Alexandria, as more than 900 Alexandria City High School seniors graduated this morning at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena.

Perhaps student speaker Lenhle Vilakati put it best when she said: “Today we finally break apart and become our own people. Today we finally have to go off into bigger things and be amazing.”

Alexandria City High School is the largest public high school in Virginia.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt praised the 905 graduates, and said they are ready to take their next steps.

“This class of Titans is more than ready to do great things to the next chapter of their lives,” Kay-Wyatt said.

Outgoing Principal Peter Balas received a standing ovation, and tearfully thanked the audience of students, families, ACPS staff and city leaders.

“This is the most meaningful part of being a principal and your class will be one that I will always remember and hold close to my heart,” Balas said. “Today, you’re all experiencing a major life-changing event. Graduation brings to an end the last 13 years of schooling as you know it, that has been structured and supported by so many loved ones who helped you be successful. A change like this can be scary, but it is often through change that you become the best version of yourself.”

It might take some time, but Alexandria City Public Schools has opened the door to collective bargaining with its employees.

On Thursday, the School Board conducted its first work session on the topic, and Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt says it could be two years before the issue comes to the Board for a vote. The Board has to develop a collective bargaining resolution (CBR) with staff representatives, who will iron out wage and other potential increases through a long process.

“It depends on how fast we adopt our CBR,” Kay-Wyatt said. “It could be a year, it could be a year-and-a-half, but I think we have to also watch the budget timeline. It could be two years. We hope that’s not the case.”

It took Alexandria nearly two years to negotiate collective bargaining for police and firefighters, who both saw increases in pay budgeted into the city’s recently approved fiscal year 2024 budget. Alexandria was first Northern Virginia jurisdiction to pass the measures for employee rights and wages in 2021, after former Governor Ralph Northam announced statewide implementation of the law in 2020.

“I’m really glad that we are getting ourselves moving on this conversation,” Board Member Kelly Carmichael Booz said. “It is long overdue.”

ACPS approved funds to develop an official ACPS plan and policy for collective bargaining with employees in its recently approved budget.

“The first thing to do is identify who are the interested parties and stakeholders in this whole endeavor,” said Steve Ray, an attorney with Isler Dare, P.C. who is advising ACPS. “The CBR is going to need to address what are the rights and authorities of ACPS… the rights of the employees’ exclusive representative, the scope of the bargaining, and how to resolve impasses, resolutions, and procedures.”

Dawn Lucas, president of the Education Association of Alexandria, said that she’s been looking to start this work for a long time.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with ACPS as it establishes collective bargaining rights.,” Lucas said. “We want the opportunity to collectively bargain for working conditions, forced labor, and things of that nature.”

It’s been a busy week in Alexandria.

City Council unanimously approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s $884.3 million fiscal year 2024 budget, funding citywide pay increases, a fully funded school system and collective bargaining agreements with the police and fire departments.

On Thursday night, the School Board announced that Interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt has been promoted to superintendent. Kay-Wyatt has led Alexandria’s 16,000 student-strong school system since the beginning of this school year after the resignation of Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. So far, she’s managed ACPS through post-pandemic educational issues, an increase in juvenile crime and the ACPS budget process. Her four-year contract ends on June 30, 2027, and her annual salary is $265,000.

Much of the week was punctuated by crime incidents, including a gunfire incidents in Landmark, an attempted carjacking on Duke Street and another shots fired incident near the Braddock Road Metro station.

1. New tool maps out income and racial inequality across Alexandria
2. Fairfax County man sentenced 10 years for 110-mph Duke Street crash that killed man
3. Teen arrested for attempted carjacking on Duke Street
4. Carjacking suspect arrested after midnight pursuit on King Street
5. JUST IN: Police investigating shots fired incident near Braddock Road Metro station
6. JUST IN: ACPS to announce new superintendent on Thursday
7. Fundraiser established for family of the ACHS student who died this week
8. Brothers want Tex-Mex restaurant ‘Dos Hermanos’ to open in Del Ray in June
9. Mount Vernon Avenue closed near George Washington Middle School due to gas leak
10. No arrest after shots fired in Landmark area Sunday morning
11. Upcoming free tour explores the hidden history of Alexandria’s Parker-Gray neighborhood

Have a safe weekend!

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥 Today’s weather: Cloudy. Mild. High of 69 and low of 51.
🌥 Tomorrow: Cloudy. Mild. High of 72 and low of 52. Sunrise at 6:05 am and sunset at 8:04 pm.

🚨 You need to know

More gunfire was reported near the Braddock Road Metro station yesterday afternoon, prompting the Alexandria Police Department to tweet that it’s “determined” to solve recent crime issues.

“APD has taken action by installing cameras and increasing police presence in the area to ensure everyone’s safety,” APD tweeted. “No one has been hurt, but we’re determined to prevent any potential harm by keeping a police presence there until we resolve this violence.”

Thursday’s incident occurred in the same block as a number of recent shootings. The city is experiencing a crime surge, and police are fighting it by increasing patrols in high-crime areas, installing mobile camera units and hosting community events.

We care about your safety and appreciate the communities cooperation to help resolve this issue.

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) May 5, 2023

We had such a great time on Monday at Coffee with a Cop that we are planning three more this month! We hope to see you there!

May 9, 2023 – Monarch 800-930 540 N Henry St.
May 16, 2023 – Bradlee 800-930 3690 King St.
May 23, 2023 – Van Dorn 800-0930 5782 Dow Ave. pic.twitter.com/lN1MfBBuwi

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) May 2, 2023

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 4, 2023.

1. JUST IN: Police investigating shots fired incident near Braddock Road Metro station (1834 views)
2. Fundraiser established for family of the ACHS student who died this week (1203 views)
3. Notes: Alexandria driver killed in hit-and-run in D.C. | ALXnow (727 views)
4. JUST IN: Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced as Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent (516 views)

🗞 Other local coverage

• Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt is the New Permanent Superintendent for Alexandria City Public Schools
  Zebra (Thursday @ 10:25 pm)

• Interim Schools Superintendent Becomes Permanent in Alexandria
  Alexandria Living (Thursday @ 7:48 pm)

• Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced as new ACPS Superintendent
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 7:45 pm)

• Good Food for a Good Cause: ALIVE! Hosting Alexandria Community Cookouts This Month
  Zebra (Thursday @ 6:17 pm)

• Do it yourself: Four project ideas to bring new life to your home
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 6:09 pm)

• Alexandria City School Board – Public Hearing- Budget
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 5:31 pm)

• Board of Architectural Review – Public Hearing
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 5:29 pm)

• AT&T – Public Notice
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 5:28 pm)

• DASH To Re-Route Some Lines To Serve Potomac Yard Metro Station in Alexandria
  Zebra (Thursday @ 5:28 pm)

• Alexandria City School Board-Public Hearing
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 5:27 pm)

• No Alexandria Primary Election Scheduled In 2023
  Patch (Thursday @ 4:33 pm)

• ACHS student receives Narcan
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:52 pm)

• Pets: Dog walking dangers: Avoid injuries and accidents by following these steps
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:41 pm)

• Reunion results
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:33 pm)

• After school registration for 2023-2024
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:29 pm)

• Taste Of Del Ray Returns To One Location In 2023
  Patch (Thursday @ 3:24 pm)

• Record breaking fundraiser
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:23 pm)

• Minor arrested for carjacking
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 3:19 pm)

• Bus lanes on Duke Street?
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 2:44 pm)

• Alexandria Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
  Alexandria Living (Thursday @ 1:00 pm)

• Most Popular Brunch Spots In U.S. Include 5 NoVA Restaurants
  Patch (Thursday @ 12:56 pm)

• Unanimous Vote: Alexandria City Council Approves FY 2024 Budget
  Zebra (Thursday @ 11:59 am)

• Del Ray Central Apartment Building Sells for $52 Million
  Zebra (Thursday @ 11:30 am)

• Crash conviction and sentence
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 11:28 am)

• Same Real Estate Tax Rate Approved In Alexandria City Budget
  Patch (Thursday @ 10:23 am)

• ACHS student receives Narcan
  Alexandria Times (Thursday @ 9:16 am)

• Jula’s on the Potomac Plans June Opening
  Alexandria Living (Thursday @ 7:43 am)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

• 8:00 am Saturday: Riverside Gardens Neighborhood Yard Sale
• 10:00 am Saturday: Lost Buildings in Alexandria
• 11:00 am Saturday: Old Town Alexandria Art Show & Craft Spring Fair ~ Mother’s Day Celebration
• 👉 5:15 pm Saturday: Beethoven, Brews, and BBQ
• 👉 7:00 pm Saturday: 2023 Alexandria Scottish Rite Friends & Family Charity Event

The permanent superintendent of Alexandria City Public  Schools will be announced by the School Board on Thursday night, ACPS announced today.

While their identity has not been revealed, the successful candidate was chosen after a national search that started last November in consultation with Nebraska-based McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C Executive Recruitment and Development, according to ACPS.

The announcement will be made at 6:30 p.m.

Alexandria’s 16,000 student-strong school system has been led by interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt since the beginning of this school year. Kay-Wyatt took over after the resignation of Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., and she managed ACPS through post-pandemic educational issues, an increase in juvenile crime and the ACPS budget process.

Alexandria has seen more than a handful of superintendents over the last 15 years. Prior to Hutchings, Lois Berlin was the interim superintendent for a year. Berlin took the helm after the retirement of Superintendent Alvin Crawley, who had the job from 2013 to 2017. Crawley took over after Superintendent Morton Sherman, who led ACPS for five years after the departure of Superintendent Rebecca Perry in 2008.

“The Board wants the successful candidate to assume the responsibilities of the position on or before July 1, 2023,” according to the job posting by McPherson & Jacobson.

The closing date to apply for the position was in February and the School Board conducted interviews in March.

The qualifications for the position, according to the job posting, are below:

The candidate must have the background, skills, and abilities essential for excellence in educational leadership to include high expectations, being data driven and maintaining a culture of accountability throughout the division.

Experience as a superintendent or in a central office leadership position in a diverse, suburban/urban district to include classroom teaching experience is required.

Doctorate and Virginia Superintendent certification – or eligibility for it – are required as is a preference for living in the city of Alexandria.

The Board is seeking a candidate with the following desired characteristics:

1. An educational leader with a proven track record of leading teams to implement equitable practices that result in improved academic achievement in a suburban/urban school division.
2. A leader with experience in the successful development and implementation of a division-wide strategic plan with the understanding that the current plan must continue to be implemented with fidelity through 2025.
3. A leader who builds consensus through collaboration resulting in trust and mutual respect throughout the division and the broader community.
4. A steward of public resources with expertise in budget development, the ability to foster positive relationships with the city government officials and experience in carrying out capital projects.
5. An effective communicator whose vision can be translated into practical terms for all stakeholders in the division and the broader community.
6. A leader with the ability to identify staff’s potential and build capacity throughout the organization.

Old Town was packed on Monday, as thousands of revelers and marchers celebrated the George Washington Birthday Parade.

More than 2,000 freemasons from all over the country marched in the 100th annual parade, which is the largest annual celebration of Washington in the world.

This year’s event saw a rare route change for the parade, which is traditionally held east of Washington Street near City Hall in the Old Town Historic District. This year, the parade made its way from Old Town North to King Street and near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at King Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

This event commemorated the construction of the Memorial in 1923, which saw then-President Calvin Coolidge, Chief Justice William Howard Taft and Virginia Governor E. L.Trinkle lay the cornerstone.

Alexandria’s next parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town on Saturday, March 4.