Michelle Rief Unanimously Elected Chair of Alexandria School Board; Kelly Carmichael Booz Is Vice Chair
ALEXANDRIA, VA – At its meeting last week, the Alexandria City School Board unanimously selected Dr. Michelle Rief chair for the upcoming school year. Kelly Carmichael Booz was also elected vice chair. Effective immediately, the positions are for a one-year term.
During the meeting, Rief thanked her predecessor, Meagan L. Alderton, and the outgoing vice chair, Jacinta Greene for their work and commitment. She also said she is looking forward to working with Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt.
“My colleagues on the Board have my heartfelt gratitude as we continue our work together for excellence in education and unwavering support for our young people and their families,” Rief added.
A parent of three who are in the ACPS school system, Rief has live in Alexandria for more than 15 years. She was first elected to the school board in 2018 and was re-elected last year. Her previous leadership experience includes positions with the Mount Vernon Community School PTA and Alexandria Council PTA.
As the first in her family to graduate from college, Rief she holds a B.S. in Communications from Florida State University and a PhD in African American Stdies from Temple University.
Booz has lived in Alexandria since 2010 and has two children in the school system. Her most recent election to the school board came last year, but she served previously from 2013 to 2015.
Booz thanked Alderton and Greene for their service as well.
“As the incoming School Board vice chair, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to serve our community,” she said. “We all share a similar goal to advance an educational environment in ACPS where all students feel empowered and supported, so they can learn and thrive.”
Booz is the current director of the American Federation of Teachers PreK-12 digital resources.She also serves on a number of other boards including the Board of Directors for Virginia Civics, the Kathy Wilson Foundation, and is a member of a member of the board of directors for Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence.
Booz earned a B.A. in Psychology (minoring in Women’s Studies) from Carleton College in Minnesota. She also holds a M.Ed.in Social Foundations of Education from UVA. She is a graduate from the Political Leaders Program with the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at UVA.
The school board is a nine-member group charged with adopting the policies that affect daily operations at ACPS. It makes sure that “school laws are explained, enforced, and observed,” according to its website. [SEE ALSO: Aces Sweep Their Way Into Third-Consecutive Championship Series]
