VIRGINIA BRIEFING

ALEXANDRIA

T.C. Williams Principal to Leave for Association

T.C. Williams High School Principal Mel Riddile, an award-winning administrator, announced his resignation yesterday to take a position with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

In a letter to his staff, Riddile said it was "time to move on to new opportunities and challenges." Riddle went to the Alexandria school in 2006 from Fairfax County's J.E.B. Stuart High School. While in Fairfax, he was named a national high school principal of the year by MetLife and the principals association.

"I now have the opportunity to share what I have learned with other principals in the hopes that I might influence high schools across America," Riddile said in his letter.

The resignation, effective July 1, leaves a leadership vacancy in the city's only high school as the School Board continues to search for a superintendent for the 10,600-student system.

-- Theresa Vargas

Former Mayor to Seek State House Seat

Former Alexandria mayor Kerry J. Donley announced yesterday that he is stepping down as athletic director for the city's public schools to launch a campaign for the House of Delegates in 2009.

Donley, a Democrat, plans to run for the seat held by Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), who is expected to run for governor instead of seeking reelection.

Donley's resignation from Alexandria schools will be effective June 30. He was mayor from 1996 to 2003 and served a stint as chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party.

-- Tim Craig