Alexandria Schools Hired New Superintendent

The Alexandria City School Board appointed Jharrett Bryantt to lead the district for a four-year term beginning in February.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Administration

Gouache-painted illustration of a historic brick school building facade, representing institutional leadership in the Alexandria school district. — The Alexandria City School Board has appointed Jharrett Bryantt as superintendent, with his four-year tenure beginning in February 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Alexandria City School Board has officially hired Jharrett Bryantt to serve as the district's new superintendent. Bryantt is set to begin his tenure on February 1, 2027, following a national search.

Why it matters

The appointment marks a transition in leadership for Alexandria as the district looks to move forward from a period of interim management. Bryantt, who previously led the Anchorage School District, stated that his decision to join the school system was driven by the desire to serve a tight-knit community.

Jharrett Bryantt signed a four-year contract through June 30, 2030, with an annual salary of $310,000. He was previously recognized in the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Education list.

The players

Jharrett Bryantt

He is the incoming superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools who previously served as the head of the Anchorage School District.

Grace Taylor

She has served as the acting superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools since August 2026.

The details

Bryantt will take the helm from acting superintendent Grace Taylor, who has managed the district since August 2026. The incoming superintendent plans to visit the area in November to begin initial consultations with board members and local families.

Grace Taylor was appointed acting superintendent in August 2026.
Grace Taylor will present the capital improvement budget on November 5, 2026.
Jharrett Bryantt begins his term as superintendent on February 1, 2027.
The school board will adopt the final fiscal year 2028 budgets on June 17, 2027.
Jharrett Bryantt's initial contract is scheduled to end on June 30, 2030.

Culture Shift

The selection of Bryantt reflects a broader trend of school districts recruiting young, nationally recognized education leaders to modernize administrative operations. This shift marks a departure from traditional internal promotions in favor of external candidates with portfolios vetted by major institutional programs like the Forbes 30 Under 30 Education list.

The new leadership will directly influence upcoming fiscal decisions, including the finalization of the 2028 budget in June. Parents and residents should anticipate changes to administrative priorities and potential shifts in resource allocation for the upcoming school year.

The takeaway

The appointment of Bryantt signals a permanent shift in district oversight following months of interim leadership. Residents can expect the new superintendent to prioritize community engagement as he prepares for his official start in February.

What happens next

Grace Taylor is scheduled to present the FY 2028-37 Capital Improvement Program budget to the board on November 5, 2026, followed by a vote on the combined funds budget in February 2027.