Anchorage School District Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt is leaving early next year to lead a school district in Virginia.
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Bryantt made the announcement in a letter to families Thursday. He said he has taken a job as the superintendent of the Alexandria City School District and will start Feb. 1.
“Anchorage has been my home for more than four years, and serving this district and community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Bryantt wrote.
Bryantt was appointed Anchorage School District superintendent in 2022, following Deena Bishop’s retirement. As superintendent, he faced repeated multi-million dollar budget deficits, leading to the closure of six schools, the elimination of several programs and hundreds of staff cuts. His tenure also saw reading and literacy growth among students, higher graduation rates and the launch of the Academies of Anchorage career pathway program.
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“The Board will take the time to listen and carefully consider what Anchorage needs from its next superintendent,” Anchorage School Board president Carl Jacobs said in a statement. “We will be thoughtful about the decisions ahead, transparent about the process, and keep our community informed along the way.”
Bryantt said he will continue to work with the district and school board to build next year’s budget while officials look for his replacement.
Before coming to Anchorage, Bryantt was the head of the office of talent at the Houston Independent School District in Texas.
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