Interim Alexandria Superintendent Appointed

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Alexandria School Board has appointed Lois Berlin as the interim superintendent while it searches for a permanent replacement. She will join the school system July 24 and officially take over the role July 31 when Superintendent Alvin Crawley leaves to teach at George Mason University.

Berlin has 40 years of experience in education, including as superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools from 2004 to 2011. Currently she is executive director of the Washington Area School Study Council, a group of current and retired superintendents from the DC area. She has also coached principals in the DC area.

(Sign up for real time alerts and a newsletter. iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store. Plus, like Del Ray Patch or Old Town Alexandria Patch on Facebook.)

A portion of her career has been at Alexandria City Public Schools. Her positions have ranges from associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, to principal of George Mason Elementary School and Jefferson-Houston. She had also been a special education teacher before becoming an assistant principal of Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.

Berlin has received the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Award for Excellence in Education, as well as The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award. She has a master’s degree in early childhood/special education from George Washington University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Tech.

“Dr. Berlin brings 40 years of educational leadership experience to this role, as well as background knowledge of ACPS through her past administrative positions across the school division. We are confident she is the right person to lead ACPS at this time,” said School Board Chair Ramee Gentry in a statement.

The superintendent search began in May. The school board has 180 days to appoint a new superintendent from Crawley's last day (July 28). The school board will announce the appointment by the end of 2017.

Image via Alexandria City Public Schools