And Matthew Maury Elementary School will be renamed Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the state’s vaccination campaign is in “a race” with newer, far more contagious variants of the coronavirus, Northam said.

Alexandria Public Schools will begin a phased return to in-person learning March 2.

The city is one of several localities in Northern Virginia that are moving into the next phase of the vaccination distribution process, which includes teachers, first responders and other essential workers.

In an interesting move, Alexandria Public Schools has hired Alan Hilburg, the marketing guy behind Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” campaign to improve the system’s reputation. Hilburg has also worked for such beleaguered public figures as Don Imus and Leona Helmsley to restore their reputation. Alexandria’s school system, home to the under-performing high school T.C. Williams, hopes to better sell themselves to potential donors and volunteers. While Hilburg will not be making much for his services,…