On Monday, ACPS announced that Randolph Mitchell, a longtime administrator and current principal of Francis C. Hammond Middle School, will be retiring this June, ending his 19-year career with Alexandria schools.
In a letter to members of the Hammond school community, Mitchell said that his last day will be February 27, and he will be going on medical leave from March 2 until June 30 to attend to personal health issues. Mitchell said that his health concerns are not life-threatening, but that they do impact my ability to give full time and attention to the needs of our students and teachers.
Mitchell was hired as an assistant principal in 1990 and has since served as associate principal and principal at Minnie Howard, before returning to Hammond as principal in 2006, according to a letter from ACPS Superintendent Morton Sherman.
He has made many valuable contributions to ACPS and to the young people of Alexandria and I wish him much happiness in his retirement, Sherman wrote in the letter.
In Mitchells absence, Hammond Assistant Principal Sara Schafer will act as interim principal while the school searches for a permanent replacement. Retired administrator Louise Nickens will take on Schafers previous responsibilities.
It has been my honor to work with you to serve our students and community, Mitchell said in his letter. I thank you for the support you have given me during my time in ACPS.
