Alexandria Superintendent's Contract Renewed By School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Thursday, the Alexandria City School Board voted to renew Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr.'s contact through June 30, 2025. Hutchings, who grew up attending Alexandria schools, became superintendent in July 2018.

"The Board is genuinely appreciative of Dr. Hutchings’ leadership," said School Board Chair Meagan Alderton in a statement. As ACPS continues to address challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism, we believe in his vision for our schools, and we look forward to supporting him in his work as he continues to move the division forward. He and his team are committed to closing opportunity gaps and removing barriers to equitable access for our students."

Under Hutchings's leadership, ACPS achieved full accreditation for all schools in 2019 for the first time in 20 years. Alexandria City Public Schools will continue to work toward the ACPS 2025: Equity for All strategic plan. The five-year plan adopted in 2020 sets a roadmap for making ACPS a leader in equitable, high quality education for all students. Hutchings led the development of the plan, which puts a spotlight on racial equity for ACPS decision-making, addresses barriers to learning, and seeks to empower students to succeed.

The superintendent also oversaw the school district amid COVID-19 closures. ACPS is planning a return to five days of in-person learning in the fall while providing a virtual option through Virtual Virginia.

Recent facility initiatives will continue to advance under his leadership. The High School project will address growing enrollment with a connected high school network, adding capacity on the Minnie Howard campus. The Douglas MacArthur Elementary School modernization project is underway with the new school expected to open in January 2023.

The school district also went through a renaming process called The Identity Project for two schools — T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. The schools will be renamed Alexandria City High School and Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, respectively.

Hutchings expressed his appreciation to the school board and enthusiam for continuing work at ACPS.

"Working together with our Board, ACPS leadership and staff, it has been a team effort on behalf of our students," said Hutchings. "Our work to address racial inequities and advance the bold goals of the 2025 Equity for All Strategic Plan continues to be central to all we do. I know that this has been especially challenging as we pivoted during the pandemic to support students and families. There is still much work to do and I’m excited to lead ACPS as we continue to innovate and prepare our students for a bright future."

Hutchings replaced previous Superintendent Alvin Crawley, who resigned in May 2018 to pursue an opportunity at George Mason University. Hutchings is a 1995 graduate of T.C. Williams High School who also attended Patrick Henry and James K. Polk elementary schools, Mount Vernon Community School, William Ramsay Elementary School, and Francis C. Hammond Middle School. Before becoming superintendent in an Ohio school district, then ACPS, he was a director of preK-12 initiatives and director of middle school programs with ACPS. He has also served in teacher, assistant principal and principal roles at the middle and high school levels.