ASD Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt says he will leave for Virginia district

Anchorage School District Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt said Thursday he has accepted the job of next superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia. He expects to leave ASD in early 2027.

Bryantt announced the move in an Oct. 8 message to the ASD community. He said the Alexandria City School Board voted Thursday to appoint him and that he had accepted the position.

"I expect to conclude my service as Superintendent of the Anchorage School District in early 2027," Bryantt wrote.

Bryantt joined ASD in summer 2022, according to his district biography. Before coming to Anchorage, he worked for Houston Independent School District, including as executive officer of talent and as an assistant superintendent.

His departure would leave Alaska's largest school district searching for new leadership while it works on next year's budget and continues through a year of financial and operational decisions. Bryantt's message said ASD is developing next year's budget, supporting schools through the academic year and listening to the community about the district's future.

He said he would remain superintendent through the transition and work with the Anchorage School Board and district leadership team "to support continuity and a thoughtful transition for ASD."

Alaska News reported in September that Bryantt told the School Board the district had confirmed $32 million in one-time state funding. He proposed splitting the money among reserves, one-time investments and targeted student supports. Alaska News also reported in June that ASD was projecting a fiscal 2028 budget gap after several years of cuts and uncertainty over state and local funding.

Alexandria City Public Schools announced the appointment at its School Board meeting Thursday, which Bryantt joined virtually. The district said the appointment takes effect Feb. 1, 2027. His four-year contract there runs through June 30, 2030, at $310,000 a year, the Virginia district said.

Bryantt did not announce a specific final day in Anchorage. ASD had not posted a separate transition plan by the time of his message Thursday.