Celebrating the Service and Leadership of Our Departing Division Leaders

NEWS RELEASE

(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia)—As we prepare for a new school year, Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate several division leaders who are completing their service with ACPS this month. Whether they are beginning exciting new chapters elsewhere or entering a well-earned retirement, each has made meaningful contributions to our schools, students, and community.

Leaders Transitioning to New Roles Outside ACPS

Katy Compel, Director of Special Education, Department of Instruction
Ms. Compel has been named Executive Director of the Piedmont Regional Education Program (PREP). A fierce advocate for students with disabilities, she most recently served as Director of Special Education and previously held roles as Assistant Director of Special Education, Special Education Coordinator, and assistant principal of Baker-Butler Elementary. Under her leadership, ACPS has strengthened its inclusive practices, developed targeted staff trainings, and expanded parent-focused outreach, ensuring that students with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive. Known for her focus on equity, instructional collaboration, and nurturing school culture, Ms. Compel has been instrumental in advancing the division’s mission to end the predictive value of special capacities for our children’s success.

Dr. Eric Irizarry, Director of Equity, Family, School, and Community Relations, Community Engagement
Dr. Irizarry has been appointed Superintendent of Staunton City Public Schools. Since joining ACPS in 2022, he has served as a valued member of the division’s Executive Leadership Team, helping to strengthen community partnerships, elevate student voice, and expand equitable access to learning and leadership opportunities. He led the development of several impactful engagement initiatives, including the ACPS Student Senate, Student Stay Day, and the School Champions network. Prior to joining ACPS, Dr. Irizarry served as principal of Charlottesville High School for six years, where he worked to improve graduation outcomes, close achievement gaps, and increase student access to advanced coursework. His appointment to the superintendency reflects his strong leadership, deep commitment to public education, and more than a decade of dedicated service to the Albemarle-Charlottesville community.

Dr. Jesse Turner, Director of Student and Family Support, Community Engagement
Dr. Turner has been named the next principal of Fort Hill Community School in Lynchburg. He began his ACPS leadership career in 2003 and went on to serve as principal of both Monticello and Albemarle high schools. At Monticello, his leadership helped the school earn a Magna Award for innovation and achieve a 100% on-time graduation rate for Black students. As Director of Student and Family Support, he led efforts to improve school climate, expand alternatives to suspension, and support implementation of the division’s Anti-Racism Policy. Widely respected for his student-first mindset, strong community connections, and deep commitment to equity, Dr. Turner is especially passionate about empowering young people to succeed in life. He has long been a champion of supporting students in discovering their passions, overcoming obstacles, and reaching their full potential.

Dr. Kasaundra Blount, Principal, Burley Middle School
Dr. Blount has accepted a principal position in the Richmond area. Since her appointment in 2020, she has led Burley Middle School with a strong focus on instructional equity and community engagement. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal and Equity & Diversity Administrator at Albemarle High School, where she also led the AVID program and oversaw instruction in English, social studies, fine arts, health, and PE. A certified culturally responsive educator and former member of the division’s Anti-Racism Steering Committee, Dr. Blount is recognized for her collaborative leadership, inclusive practices, and deep respect for Burley’s historic legacy.

Brad Handrich, Principal, Baker-Butler Elementary School
Mr. Handrich will become the principal of the future Sunrise Elementary School (currently Burnley-Moran) in Charlottesville. He has served as principal of Baker-Butler since 2023 and previously held assistant principal roles at Mountain View and Greer elementary schools. Before joining ACPS, he was a teacher and reading interventionist in Colorado and South America. A certified culturally responsive educator, Mr. Handrich has led professional development and helped strengthen schoolwide improvement efforts. He is known for fostering inclusive, student-centered school communities where every learner feels welcome, safe, and empowered to thrive.

Doug Granger, Assistant Principal, Western Albemarle High School
Mr. Granger has accepted a principal position in Rockingham County. A veteran ACPS educator, he previously served as principal and assistant principal of Agnor Elementary, assistant principal of Burley Middle School, a lead instructional coach, and the division’s fine arts facilitator. He played a key role in launching the division’s summer Fine Arts Academy and led efforts to expand literacy and arts integration at Agnor, while also advancing Project-Based Learning and schoolwide efforts to foster a positive school climate. Celebrated for his collaborative leadership and commitment to hands-on, inclusive learning, Mr. Granger has most recently supported students and staff as an assistant principal at Western Albemarle.

Jason Lee, Assistant Principal, Albemarle High School
Mr. Lee has been named principal of the Prince Edward County Career and Technical Education Center. He has served as principal of Western Albemarle High School and twice as an assistant principal at Albemarle High School, where he supported schoolwide operations, student programs, and staff development. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Safety, Operations, and Facilities for Charlottesville City Schools and held assistant principal roles at Ivy Creek School and Fluvanna County High School. Known for his collaborative leadership and commitment to equity, Mr. Lee has been a strong advocate for culturally responsive teaching, career and technical education, and the redesign of high school learning experiences. Across all his roles, he has built lasting partnerships with students, families, and staff.

Honoring Our Retirees

Dr. Clare Keiser, Assistant Superintendent for Organizational Development & Human Resource Leadership
Dr. Keiser will retire following a career spanning over two decades with ACPS. Appointed Assistant Superintendent in 2018, she has provided strategic leadership for the division’s Human Resources and Professional Learning departments, supporting employee recruitment, retention, and development. Under her leadership, ACPS strengthened employee engagement, reduced turnover, and enhanced systems to ensure that all employees feel valued, supported, and heard. She also championed expanded and improved professional learning opportunities that advanced the division’s mission to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success. Dr. Keiser previously served as Director of Educator Quality, principal of Hollymead Elementary School, and assistant principal of Henley Middle School. While at Hollymead, she led the school to earn the Governor’s Award for Excellence in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the Virginia Board of Education’s Excellence Award in 2011. She taught both elementary and middle school for 18 years before moving into school and division leadership. Prior to joining ACPS in 2004, Dr. Keiser served in Prince William County Public Schools and with the Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Iwakuni, Japan, where she received two Special Act Awards for her service.

Michele Castner, Executive Director of Elementary Education, Department of Instruction
Ms. Castner will retire after 29 years of dedicated service to ACPS. She previously served as principal of Agnor and Crozet elementary schools, with both schools achieving Distinguished Title I School recognition under her leadership, based on improvements in student achievement in reading and math. She began her ACPS career in 1996 as assistant principal of Greer Elementary. Earlier in her career, she was a teacher in Prince William County Public Schools. A collaborative leader with a deep commitment to putting children first, she led Agnor, one of the most diverse schools in the division, where she implemented innovative multi-age classrooms and developed successful schoolwide tutoring and literacy programs. As Executive Director, she has overseen curriculum, assessment, and instructional support for all elementary schools; led the divisionwide adoption of a new reading curriculum; and previously directed the division’s International & English Learners Program. Named Virginia Elementary Principal of the Year during her tenure, Ms. Castner also received the Alton L. Taylor Leadership Award from the University of Virginia chapter of Phi Delta Kappa in 2014 and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia in 2024. She is widely respected for her strong support of educators; her commitment to inclusive, high-quality learning for all students; and her deep belief in creating joyful learning environments that inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. She plans to pursue doctoral studies following her retirement.

Rosaura González-Muñiz, Federal & State Educational Programs Support Specialist, International & English Learners Program
Ms. González-Muñiz will retire after a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in education. She previously served ACPS as an Equity Education Specialist; assistant principal at Mountain View and Stone-Robinson elementary schools; instructional liaison for the International & English Learners Program; instructional coach; novice teacher mentor; and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher. With expertise in English as a Second Language, instructional coaching, program evaluation, and culturally responsive instruction, she has worked to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across the school division. A trusted collaborator and advocate for creating positive, equitable learning environments for all, her career reflects a deep commitment to supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of students and staff from diverse backgrounds and a passion for building strong partnerships with families to support student success.

“We are deeply grateful to each of these leaders for their extraordinary service to Albemarle County Public Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas. “Whether they are retiring after decades of dedication or stepping into new leadership roles beyond our division, they leave behind a powerful legacy of care, innovation, and commitment to students, families, and staff. Their leadership has helped shape our schools and strengthen our community, and their impact will be felt for years to come. We thank them for all they have given to ACPS and wish them every success and fulfillment in the future.”

CONTACT: Jennifer A. Butler, Deputy Chief Communications Officer
PHONE: 434-260-4634