Christopher Hirons, Author at Potomac Local News

After killing plans A & B, Stafford school officials juggle three new plans for elementary redistricting

Published March 5, 2019 at 10:08PM | Updated March 6, 2019 at 12:01AM

Students head back to class in Stafford County Public Schools on Sept. 3, 2013. [Submitted photo]

STAFFORD — The Stafford County School Board will move forward with its effort to change the attendance boundaries of every elementary school in the county.

The school division will now look at two of three new redistricting proposals, plans C and E. Each School Board member has the ability to make changes to the plans that were selected.

News

Potomac Nationals break ground on $35 million stadium in Fredericksburg

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 26, 2019 at 4:35PM | Updated August 5, 2022 at 12:04PM

FREDERICKSBURG — Baseball in Fredericksburg took a big step forward as the Fredericksburg Baseball Club held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $35 million multi-purpose stadium that will be the new home of the Potomac Nationals.

The owner of the Minor League Baseball team, Art Silber and his family, Mayor Mary Kathrine Greenlaw and City Council members attended, along with others who played a key role in bringing baseball to the city.

News

Potomac Nationals owner mulls new baseball team name, will hold a contest

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 26, 2019 at 5:00AM | Updated February 27, 2019 at 12:10AM

FREDERICKSBURG — Fans will have a chance to rename the Potomac Nationals as the Minor League Baseball team moves from Woodbridge to Fredericksburg.

Team owner Art Silber says he’s open to a name change and plans to listen to the community in the coming months about proposed team names. Silber plans to include “Fredericksburg” in the team name.

News

Stafford Supervisors fund $1.9 million Ferry Farm renovation, say it will be school’s last

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 22, 2019 at 11:42AM | Updated February 22, 2019 at 1:02PM

STAFFORD COUNTY — Ferry Farm Elementary School will receive a renovation to its 53-year-old basement addition under a resolution passed by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.

All told, the renovation will cost $1.9 million with money coming from leftover money from last fiscal year and diverted funds coming from renovation projects at H.H. Poole Middle School and Mountain View High School.

News

Stafford elementary school redistricting process delayed: Why splitting up neighborhoods proved unpopular

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 7, 2019 at 6:03PM | Updated February 7, 2019 at 6:26PM

STAFFORD — The School Board postponed a series of planned public hearings on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 for the ongoing elementary school redistricting process.

The move delays a commitment by the Board to have a redistricting plan in place by the end of the month in exchange for funds from the Board of Supervisors to purchase a building in North Stafford to be converted into head start center.

Features

The next batch of Prince William fire and rescue recruits are about to graduate

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 4, 2019 at 8:09PM

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — (Press Release) On Thursday, February 7, at 9 a.m., the Department of Fire and Rescue will hold its graduation ceremony for Recruit Class 2018-2 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Battalion Chief Chris Granger will preside over the ceremony. Class 2018-2 consists of Fire and Rescue Technicians who successfully completed 29 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training at the Department’s Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville, Virginia. Each student performed in excess of 1,392 hours of training.

The training consisted of 1 week of Orientation/Study Skills/Health, Nutrition and Fitness, eight weeks of Emergency Medical Training, 15 weeks of Fire Training, and five weeks of Specialized Training. The Department will announce the following graduates:

Stafford seeks suspect in high-speed chase

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 4, 2019 at 8:04PM

STAFFORD — (Press Release) The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the suspect behind a pursuit that occurred over the weekend following a traffic stop.

On Sunday, February 3, 2019, at approximately 11:04 a.m., Deputy Layug observed a red two-door vehicle traveling westbound on Kings Highway at a high rate of speed. The deputy activated his emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop in the area of Kings Highway and Little Street.

Originals

Stafford schools Chair on elementary school redistricting : ‘I hope common sense prevails’

By Christopher Hirons

Published January 31, 2019 at 1:10PM | Updated January 31, 2019 at 9:55PM

STAFFORD — Faced with redistricting all of Stafford County’s 17 elementary schools, the administration has decided to rely heavily on the contractor they hired to do the job.

The School Board met Tuesday evening to discuss possible solutions for the school system’s eight-month-long elementary school redistricting process which began with the School Board’s request to purchase the old Fredericksburg Christian School to house the county’s Northstar campus in June and will conclude in late February.

Originals

Stafford teachers on track for a pay raise: “How five percent would significantly change their lives”

By Christopher Hirons

Published January 30, 2019 at 12:12PM | Updated January 31, 2019 at 9:56PM

STAFFORD — County teachers on are on tap for a five percent raise in this year’s budget instead of the two percent originally planned.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner unveiled his planned budget for FY 2020 that would begin on July 1. The requested budget will be around $328.5 million which is a 13 percent increase from the FY 2018 budget.

Originals

The Stafford Education Association wants teachers to be excused to lobby in Richmond for higher wages

By Christopher Hirons

Published January 22, 2019 at 10:53PM | Updated January 22, 2019 at 11:52PM

Virignia State Capitol

STAFFORD — The Stafford Education Association is pushing the county School Board to reschedule a teacher workday so instructors may go to Richmond to lobby lawmakers for higher wages.

The association wants the workday, which is used for teachers to finalize grades for the first semester moved to Monday, Jan. 28 from Tuesday, Jan. 29. The planned workday has been on the books since last year when the school division approved its annual calendar.