Take a look at the new Prince William County School Board.
Pictured from left to right: Willie Deutsch, Coles District, Diane Raulston, Neabsco District, Ryan Sawyers, Chairman At-large, Lillie Jessie, Occoquan District, Dr. Steven Walts, Prince William County Schools Superintendent, Loree Williams, Woodbridge District, Gil Trenum, Brentsville District, Alyson Satterwhite, Gainesville District, and Justin Wilk, Potomac District.
Newly elected members of the Board — Sawyers, Deutsch, Raulston, and Wilk — were sworn into office at a special ceremony last night at the Edward Kelly Leadership Center at Independent Hill. They will take their seats at the first regularly scheduled Prince William County School Board meeting on January 6.
Outgoing members of the Board were also recognized this week.
Here’s more from a schools press release:
Departing Board Members Lisa Bell, Betty Covington, Dr. Michael Otaigbe, and Chairman-At Large Milt Johns all spoke of the privilege of serving the community and fighting for the needs of students. The long-serving members likened themselves to siblings, occasionally squabbling, but always pulling together as a family to get things done.
PWCS Superintendent, Dr. Steven Walts, led tributes to the School Board leadership for leading the Division’s ongoing drive toward “Providing A World-Class Education.” He noted the role of the departing members in giving all students a foundation for success by bringing full-day kindergarten to Prince William County. Walts also lauded members’ continuing support for improvements in teaching, security, quality facilities, and student support.
Johns Walts, Otaigbe, and Bell all decided not to seek reelection to the School Board.
Johns Walts served on the School Board for 11 years, first as the Brenstville District representative from 2004 to 2008, and then two terms as Chairman At-large from 2008 to 2015.
Bell served six years on the School Board and was first sat on the Board in 2010 to fill a vacancy. Bell was reelected to her first full term in 2012.
For Otaigbe, this marks his 12th and final year on the School Board.
Wilk beat out Covington, who had served on the Board since 2003, by eight points in the November election.
