The Alexandria City High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) has voiced serious concerns regarding a notable trend of high turnover rates in key positions within the school, which they argue severely undermines the instructional success vital for students and teachers alike.
The catalyst for this letter was the recent departure of Executive Principal Alexander Duncan to Arlington Public Schools.
However, the concerns expressed by the PTSA extend beyond this single loss and point to a troubling pattern originating from the Central Office of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) that has allegedly led to significant turnover over the past two years.
In this timeframe, seven veteran principals have left ACPS, with two of them resigning immediately following accolades as Principal of the Year.
Adding to this dire situation is an alarming exodus of teachers specializing in science, long-term English Language Learner services, and Special Education, many of whom are relocating to nearby Arlington and Fairfax counties.
The PTSA emphasizes that these losses can have direct implications on student success, behavior, and overall morale, with a profound impact on the goal of fostering a safe and stable learning environment for all students, teachers, and staff.
Leading Alexandria City High School, which boasts a population exceeding 4,700 students and over 500 faculty and staff across its four campuses, is a monumental task.
The PTSA stresses that the highly qualified individuals entrusted with this responsibility deserve not only respect and support but also effective retention strategies aimed at preventing attrition.
The frustration within the ACHS community is palpable, with parents and teachers alike expressing discontent over yet another leadership change.
The letter highlights a growing conflict between Alexandria City High School and the Central Office, suggesting that a series of poorly conceived and executed large-scale initiatives have complicated the day-to-day operations of the school while failing to provide necessary support for its administrators.
This includes the simultaneous rollout of the Academies and the opening of the new Minnie Howard Campus, which reportedly caused logistical issues and a loss of instructional time, with solutions to these challenges arising solely from the dedication of those on the ground—solutions that went unacknowledged by Central Office.
Moreover, the letter laments a perceived lack of appreciation for the meaningful relationships school administrators cultivate with students, teachers, and families, accusing Central Office of being unyielding in granting the autonomy these professionals need to operate effectively.
Consequently, the PTSA argues that such a climate of instability is detrimental to fostering innovation and collaboration, deeply impacting the long-term planning vital for enhancing student success.
The PTSA notes that school leaders are hindered from making meaningful progress as they wait for the next administrative changes, which ultimately disrupt continuity in educational strategies.
In response, the PTSA urges the Board of Education to hold the Superintendent accountable for the retention of top school leadership as stated in Alexandria School Board Policy.
They implore each Board member to evaluate the Superintendent’s performance rigorously, given the concerning loss of key personnel and to seek solutions to reverse this trend in leadership turnover.
The PTSA also calls upon the School Board to establish an encouraging atmosphere where school principals, teachers, and staff are valued, fostering an environment in which individuals would want to build their careers within the ACPS rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The letter expresses gratitude for the creativity and dedication of current staff and calls for actions that genuinely reflect this appreciation through deliberate choices and communications from Central Office, the Superintendent, and the School Board.
Rather than focusing on what other school divisions are doing to attract talent away from ACPS, the PTSA emphasizes that introspection is necessary to understand what ACPS is lacking in its efforts to retain their best educators.
While the PTSA is prepared to support Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell in his challenging role, they continue to urge the school board to provide adequate oversight of Central Office structures.
Ultimately, this is a plea for a collaborative environment that promotes stability and support for both current leadership and future candidates filling vacancies, ensuring a superior educational experience for all students, teachers, and staff at Alexandria City High School.
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