By: Jacqueline Burrell
September 9, 2020
Thursday, September 3, like many parents everywhere, Dr. Gregory Hutchings, Jr. took a little time off to enjoy a late afternoon golf outing with his son. Scheduled for a 7:00 PM zoom meeting and suddenly realizing time was tight, Alexandria’s Superintendent of Public Schools pulled over to the side of the road and took the video call from his car.
Invited to speak with the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria’s (CCNA) Board and members, Dr. Hutchings was welcomed by Board member Dr. Bernard Jackson. In his welcome, Dr. Jackson ticked off today’s harsh realities – COVID-19, virtual schooling, unemployment, evictions – and of CCNA’s social justice focused efforts. He spoke of CCNA’s new CIVICS 101 program, its evolving Anti-Racist Toolkit, and its Community Voices series bringing in thought leaders from across the country to spark collaborative and innovative ideas on best ways to navigate this “new normal.”
Thanking the decade-old nonprofit organization founded by former school board member Gwendolyn H. Lewis, for its longtime service, Dr. Hutchings reiterated how “completely aligned” CCNA is with where the school system is going.
“We want to ensure that every student’s need is being met,” he said, “with the courage and boldness that CCNA already has shown,” with an emphasis on being bold, coping with change, and the need for partnerships, as we are all in this together.
When T.C. Williams High School placed near the bottom of all schools in Virginia in 2009 and had the state’s second highest dropout rate, Gwen Lewis, the late Mr. Ferdinand T. Day, John Chapman, then Mayor Bill Euille and other concerned citizens saw it as a “call to action” and CCNA was formed. Equity for all students and citizens in the community and reducing the dropout rate became its mission focus.
Dr. Hutchings, now in his third year at the helm of Alexandria public schools, noted that while dropout rates and test scores have improved, today, more than ever, the work towards equity remains.
Less than 15% of the city’s black and brown students are in its Talented and Gifted (TAG) programs and almost none in its Honors classes. Given the sheer numbers of the total student population, this is nothing short of systemic racism, said Hutchings. One that the new Strategic 
Plan intends to address, he added. “We want to be intentional in our efforts and very transparent.”
Professor Hank Van Putten, CCNA and a well-known Anti-Racist Educator, Adjunct Professor and Facilitator at Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute in Orlando Florida, asked whether that extends to school system policies.
To that end, Dr. Hutchings said he is looking to conduct a policy audit of the school system. “It’s not just about being aware. We also want to respond and take action,” he said.
Also, on the call was Pierrette Peters, Principal of Francis Hammond Middle School, where CCNA holds its Reach and Rise for Excellence (RARE) after school tutoring and mentoring program. “CCNA has been a great partner over the years” she said, noting that “each year, they do more and more to help us make a difference.”
While 81% of its students are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, remarkably, Hammond is outperforming others by 20% in Algebra 1.
Felicia Tolliver-Johnson, RARE Program Coordinator, said she would love to see CCNA’s CIVICS 101 Online Program be inserted into the RARE program as part of their student enrichment efforts.
Questions for Dr. Hutchings ranged from keeping the staff safe to concerns for parent engagement to the impact of evictions.
Gwendolyn Day-Fuller, Immediate Past CCNA Board Chair and a former educator, wondered how to involve seniors more with online tutoring.
CCNA’s newest board member and retired middle school principal, Dr. Ruth Woods, T.C Williams alums and recent college grads- Kevin Perry and Kyra Parker, joined with CEO, Allen Protocol and Leadership Institute, Fannie Allen, thanking Dr. Hutchings for his bold leadership.
Since all schools are starting in a virtual mode, Donna Walker James, Executive Director of Computer Core and a CCNA Board member, is offering a sign-up form for any Alexandria parents needing assistance in accessing computers, the internet, zoom, and more.
In addition to making sure all students have computers and access to the internet, Dr. Hutchings is also taking care of Alexandria’s teachers and staff. “We are focusing on the social and emotional health of everyone,” he said, noting that like everyone else, teachers and school personnel are facing food insecurities and housing issues.
When asked by Kevin Paige of KP21 Productions, a Houston, Texas based company, what the community needs to know, Dr. Hutchings said that there is no playbook on how best to deal with COVID-19. He asks the community to “give us some grace.”
In his role leading the school system, Dr. Hutchings said he wants to be as transparent as possible and direct when he needs to be. But he also wants everyone to know, most importantly, “I listen.”
Along with a host of community stakeholders, other participants included, retired biology teacher, Ron Sprott, Kerrville, TX and US Air Force member, Marquis Skinner, Stafford VA. Also, joining the session was two initial Cohorts from the “Call Me Mister” program, Cedric Thompson, CEO, Center for Innovation, Research and Transformation, (CITRE) Washington, DC. and Howard Jean, Founder, Black Male Enterprise, New York City. All expressed admiration and support for Dr. Hutchings’ efforts in making equity the school system’s number one priority.
When all is said and done, CCNA Program Coordinator Gina Andrews Bruce asked what success would look like.
As the light in Dr. Hutchings car grew darker with the day coming to an end, he responded: “Success will be when all students feel welcome and know that they deserve to be there,” in all classrooms.
He closed with an appeal for continued support. Let’s continue to work together to make a difference. The time is now!
CCNA looks to continue its discussion with Alexandria School Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings, Jr. in the near future.
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