On Tuesday, Manassas Park City Schools presented the governing body with a $64.8 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget outlines key priorities to improve academic performance, boost teacher compensation, and expand student wellness and mental health services.
Superintendent Dr. Melissa Saunders and Finance Director Mr. Lyon led the presentation, which showcased the divisionâs efforts to balance rising costs with a continued decline in student enrollment.
âThis budget reflects our commitment to reimagining the school experience, supporting our staff, and ensuring our students are safe and supported every day,â said Saunders.
Key Budget Priorities
The FY26 budget, approved by the School Board on March 3, is structured around four major priorities:
- Literacy and Math Improvement: Expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act compliance to middle school grades and the addition of 43 English Language Learner (ELL) teaching positions to meet updated state mandates. The school divisionâs ELL population now makes up 45% of the student body, compared to the state average of 12%.
- Staff Compensation and Benefits: Teachers and classified staff will receive an average 5.2% raise, including a 2% step and 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Managerial staff will receive a 4.2% average increase. The top pay scale staff will receive a $1,000 supplement. The budget also includes six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment and increases paid time off to 15 days annually.
- Student Support Services: The budget adds a school counselor, a Dean of Students at the high school, and front office staff to assist with increased call volume. It maintains three attendance specialists and extends the use of Care Solace, a 24/7 multilingual mental health care referral service for students, families, and staff. Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue.
- Sustainability: The division will draw $872,078 from the Cityâs School Reserve Fund to help cover salary obligations. That fund, created in 2023, is intended to stabilize school funding as enrollment declines and staff costs rise.
Student Enrollment Declining, Needs Increasing
Enrollment is projected to dip slightly to 3,372 students next year, down from 3,624 in 2020. At the same time, student needs have increased significantly:
- 55% of students are economically disadvantaged
- 15% receive special education services
- 45% are English Language Learners
Saunders noted that while enrollment declines, the staffing demands grow due to state requirements for lower student-teacher ratios in high-need populations.
Long-Term Forecast Raises Concerns
A five-year budget forecast included in the presentation shows rising shortfalls beginning in FY27, with a projected $4.7 million gap by FY30. The FY30 projection also includes a placeholder $36 million investment in a potential Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing at the high school.
Despite the looming financial challenges, school leaders emphasized that the FY26 budget reflects careful planning and a âneeds-based, zero-basedâ development process.
Capital Projects and Other Highlights
The FY26 capital budget includes $2.1 million in school infrastructure upgrades, including bus replacements, generator installations, lighting and flooring improvements, and front entrance safety upgrades.
The budget also maintains free meals for all students, funded through the divisionâs food services fund.
Whatâs Next
The School Boardâs approved budget will now be incorporated into the City of Manassas Parkâs overall FY26 budget. No formal action by the Governing Body was required during the March 18 meeting.
âWeâre proud of the work being done in our schools and believe this budget reflects our communityâs values,â said Saunders.
Editorâs note: View the full budget presentation.
âI was at the Jail Board meeting as a member of the public but was turned away, along with several others,â said resident Ben Walters in an email to Potomac Local News. âJail Board staff claimed there wasnât enough room, yet I understand there were empty seats⊠I submitted written comments well in advance, but they were not made available at the meeting. And since I wasnât allowed in, I also had no opportunity to present them verbally.â
Walters and others told Potomac Local News that he had hoped to raise concerns about the Boardâs current position on Section 287(g) â a federal program that allows local jail officers to identify and refer suspected undocumented immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential removal.
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Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer at Manassas Park Community Center
Summer is just around the corner, and that means itâs time to start planning for an action-packed season at Manassas Park Community Centerâs Summer Camps.
Join us on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for our Summer Camp Open Houseâyour one-stop shop to explore all the incredible camps weâre offering this year. Meet our staff, learn about exciting camp themes like Safari Week and Kingdom Adventure, and secure your spot.
Exclusive BOGO Deal
Get early access to the Summer Camp BOGO Deal! Register during the Open House and get buy one, get one half off, valid for up to four camps.
With camps for preschoolers, school-age kids, teens, and athletes, thereâs something for everyone. Plus, before and aftercare options make scheduling easy for busy parents.
- âWe highly encourage parents to come to our open house because the BOGO deal will be available during event hours.â â Samantha Wollschlager, Youth Programs & Camps Recreation Specialist
- âWe have some exciting themes this year, like Safari Week, where kids will visit the Leesburg Zoo, along with fun arts and crafts that match the weekly themes.â â Samantha Wollschlager
- âOur summer camp open house is all about letting residents and non-residents see what camps we offer and making registration easier by handling it in-house.â â Samantha Wollschlager
Learn more and register early: mpdpr.com/summercampsÂ
Location: Manassas Park Community Center
Spots fill up fast, so donât wait. Join us for an exciting summer your child will never forget.
Summer fun at Signal Bay Waterpark will start a little later than expected this year. The city of Manassas Park has announced a delayed opening due to ongoing renovations. According to a statement from city officials, the park will now welcome visitors on Monday, June 23, about a month later than initially planned.
The city assured patrons that the delay is due to necessary improvements to enhance the park experience. "We appreciate your patience as we put the finishing touches on these exciting improvements," the statement read. "If any unforeseen construction setbacks affect the opening date, weâll let you know right away!"
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Residents voiced strong opposition during the March 4, 2025, governing body meeting after the city voted 4-3 to disband the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. The decision, made without public comment beforehand, drew sharp criticism from former officials and community members who accused the governing body of a lack of transparency and disregard for volunteer efforts.
Laura Hampton, a former governing body member, condemned the decision, stating that it was based on misinformation and made without consultation.
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During a tense Manassas Park Governing Body meeting on March 4, Mayor Alanna Mensing raised a pointed question about the city treasurerâs plan to publish the names of delinquent taxpayers.
"It is a shame tactic, right? You are putting out people's names to kind of compel them to pay so that they're not publicly shamed. And so does that actually work?"
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Residents and business owners in Manassas Park who have overdue taxes and other unpaid city bills may soon see their names displayed publicly. City officials plan to implement a new initiative to post the names of delinquent account holders on the city's website and an electronic message board at City Hall.
The policy, which is permitted under Code of Virginia §58.1-3924, is part of an effort by the Manassas Park Treasurerâs Office to increase collection rates for past-due payments.
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Pavilion Renovation Begins March 3
Work on the pavilion will start Monday, March 3, beginning with a roof replacement. Additional improvements will follow, with a tentative completion date of April 30. The pavilion will be off-limits, and restrooms will be unavailable during construction. Three portable toilets will be installed on March 14 before athletic fields and outdoor spaces reopen on March 15.
Tennis Court Renovation Starts March 8
Work on the tennis courts will begin Saturday, March 8, starting with fence removal and asphalt milling. After new asphalt is poured, it will set for 30 days before painting and line marking. New fencing will be installed last. Safety cones and tape will mark construction zones.
Park Background and Other Parks in Manassas Park
Signal Hill Park is at 9300 Signal View Drive and includes a playground, picnic areas, trails, athletic fields, basketball courts, and Signal Bay Water Park. It was a Confederate signal station in the First Battle of Bull Run.
Other Manassas Park parks include:
- Baker Street Park â A playground and open space.
- Scott Drive Park â Open green space.
- Manassas Park Community Center â Programs and events.
- Blooms Park â 4.25 miles of trails and a Civil War encampment.
Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega has issued a directive to widen Route 28 from four to six lanes between the Manassas City Line and the Fairfax County Line, marking a significant shift in the county's approach to alleviating traffic congestion. Vega's directive follows the Board of County Supervisors' recent vote to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project.
The directive to widen the roughly three-mile stretch of roadway has been assigned to the Department of Transportation and Planning, which oversees the project's development. The corridor is lined with businesses on each side, and the widening will require crews to relocate utilities and likely the purchase of commercial properties to accommodate the wider lanes.
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The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.
Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact
