Abrupt End To Tenure of Alexandria Schools Chief

Rebecca L. Perry ended her stormy tenure as superintendent of Alexandria public schools yesterday by being ordered to hand over her keys and exit the building at 5 p.m.

Minutes later, a locksmith was at her door, changing the locks.

The School Board made the abrupt decision to release Perry from her contract five months early during a closed meeting Wednesday night. William Symons, a former superintendent in Charlottesville, is expected to start work as interim superintendent Thursday, according to a statement from the board.

Perry had been at odds with the board since her arrest in April 2004 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, and many board members campaigned on the agenda of ousting her. Some criticized her for what they called lavish spending on programs such as buying laptop computers for all high school students. She frequently was at loggerheads with the board chairman over the design of the new T.C. Williams High School.

But supporters credit Perry with bringing innovative programs that boosted achievement and drew many middle-class families back to the public schools.

"I believe Alexandria is ready to put this matter behind them and move forward for the children of the school system," School Board Chairman Claire M. Eberwein said yesterday.

But some board members and school employees were upset at what they called the disrespectful treatment of Perry on her last day.

Board member Eileen Cassidy Rivera, a Perry supporter, said she was stunned when she wove through a phalanx of weeping staffers at the central office building to say goodbye shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday and bumped into the locksmith instead of Perry.

"It was as if she were being treated as a criminal or a thief," Rivera said. "When I worked in the Clinton administration and we had to leave when the Republicans came, the transition was a whole lot more dignified and respectful than this one."

Board member Sheryl Gorsuch, another Perry supporter, agreed.

"It's unfortunate. And I've seen it on more than one occasion," Gorsuch said. "How we treat the superintendent reflects on morale throughout the system, and it will affect our ability to hire a good candidate. It's just painful."

Perry said she had planned to pack up her office over the weekend. But when she got the news Thursday to hand over her keys, she began taking her pictures off the wall. "It's not like I've done anything wrong," she said.