It was a conversation between the leaders of Prince William County’s biggest governing bodies.
On April 21. Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large Babur Lateef said he was ‘confident’ schools would reopen on time in the fall. He made the comments during a conversation with Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, which was broadcast on Facebook.
“I am hopeful we will be out of the crisis enough to I think start school on time, so I’m confident we can do that, not entirely 100%, but I am confident,” said Lateef.
If schools are not able to open on time due to the new coronavirus, Lateef said that the school board will create a set of protocols and procedures that will allow students and families to have the resources they need to conduct learning from home.
“We will be better prepared than we were this time around, so I think you can count on us to, regardless of computers or not computers, to be much better prepared for if this happens again,” said Chairman Lateef.
The Prince William County School Board recently spent $6.4 million to order 15,500 laptops to distribute to some 27,000 county high school students, a part of a larger plan to give every student in the school division a digital device. Lateef said that the school board has made an investment to buy even more computers and that their IT department has looked at how students can use their own home devices to do online learning in this emerging situation.
“As we try to find the resources to get ready for the fall, we would love to have a computer in the hands of every senior,” said Chairman Lateef.
The school division purchased the HP ProBooks laptops from Daly Computer in Clarksburg, Md., according to information obtained by Potomac Local News in a Freedom of Information Act order. Each machine will have an 11-inch touch screen, a 64-bit processor, and 4 gigabytes of RAM.
The School Board held a straw poll and decided to purchase the computers, Lateef told Potomac Local News. The School Board, however, did not take a vote on the purchase.
School officials said the division used an existing contract with Daly Computers, awarded in 2015, originally slated for the purchase of “new desktops, laptops, servers, peripherals, and other accessories” as the contract to purchase the HP ProBook computers.
Also discussed during the call, current high school seniors — all of whom have been stripped of the regular high school milestones such as prom and graduation, may be able to attend a commencement ceremony after all. The School Board is open to the idea of virtual or rescheduled ceremonies and they are very interested in finding something for the seniors, said Lateef.
“This is really heartbreaking, I graduated high school thirty years ago, those were memorable times, so I want to find a way to honor our students,” said he added.
Recent Stories
As Next to Normal prepares to close on August 3, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is already looking ahead—unveiling the first details of its 2026 season, which promises to blend musical nostalgia, literary beauty, and patriotic charm.
With summer winding down and school bells on the horizon, three localities are getting ready to send the season off in style.
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Fairgrounds]The Prince William County Fair is returning, with new attractions and familiar favorites for its 76th run from Aug. 8-16. The Fairgrounds have been…
The folks at the Prince William County Animal Shelter just gave Potomac Local News a heads-up about something special happening this weekend: they’re throwing a big birthday bash for shelter dogs—and covering all adoption fees to celebrate.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
