Cook is originally from Nokesville but moved to Manassas and has entrenched himself in the community. In 2019, he founded and was president of the Old Town Whiskey Club, where meetings, events, tastings, distillery tours, and fundraisers were held.
In this episode, I talk with Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia about the evolving grading policies in the school district. Listeners will learn about the significant post-pandemic changes, including the controversial 50-100 grading scale and removing the 55 minimum grade provision. Sara Brescia provides a deep dive into the rationale behind these changes, the challenges faced, and the pushback from the community.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of grading policies on student behavior and engagement, the importance of setting deadlines, and the balance between flexibility and accountability in education. Sara shares her vision for the future, emphasizing the need for productive dialogue and the importance of preparing students for the real world.
Stafford County School Board Chairman Maureen Siegmund has announced the search for a new school superintendent following the departure of Dr. Thomas Taylor. Taylor recently became the chief of Montgomery County, Md. public schools. He held the position in Stafford for two and a half years.
The School Board has unanimously approved JG Consulting to lead a nationwide search for a new superintendent and seeks community feedback on the school division’s strengths, challenges the new superintendent may face, and essential qualities and experiences for the role. Feedback can be provided through a survey by August 30 or directly to JG Consulting via email or phone.
Uriah’s Note: Members always get the first read of our original reporting. Thanks for your continued support.
Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry P. Devine recently spoke with Potomac Local in a one-on-one interview, addressing the city’s response to a train derailment and the prospect of new data centers.
Uriah’s Note: Members always get the first read of our original reporting. Thanks for your continued support.
Updated July 31 — The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts held a press conference on Monday, July 29, 2024, to announce its transition from a for-profit business to a non-profit entity. Theater Director Patrick A’Hearn made the announcement, outlined the theater’s new direction, and announced upcoming changes.
Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors has amended its by-laws to create a new meeting schedule. The board will have three meeting days, two of which are planned business days. The third meeting day will be a dedicated Work Session meeting as needed. Meetings will also begin at 5 p.m.
The proposed changes were first reviewed by the board on June 4 and again on July 2. All board members were able to participate in the discussion and review the changes. According to Stafford’s news release, “this transparent process, which also allowed public input on the change, was designed to ensure your voice was heard and that you were fully informed about the decision-making process.”
As Nov. 5 (Election Day) approaches, Prince William County’s Office of Elections is looking for residents to serve as election officers.
Applications are due this Friday (Aug. 2) to be eligible to serve on Election Day. Officers are responsible for setting up the precinct, checking in voters, distributing ballots, accurately report results and close the polling place at 7 p.m.
Opened in the Coles District, the $54.9 million project was fully funded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The project was first considered in 2019 and under contract in 2020, according to Department of Transportation Director Rick Canizales.
Coles District County Supervisor Yesli Vega attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 25 and was excited about the new bridge.
After almost forty years, Library Director Martha Hutzel will retire from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) on Sept. 30. Hutzel was appointed director in 2016 after several prior positions at different library branches, including branch manager and head of circulation.
Hutzel said she was inspired to become a librarian “by [her] mother, who is still living at 102, and by [her] father, both of whom loved books and reading and set that example for their 13 children.” After completing chores on the dairy farm she grew up on, she and her siblings were allowed to read whatever they wanted. In the 1980s, Hutzel moved to Fredericksburg and immediately got a library card and part-time job at the Fredericksburg location. She said the staff “welcomed me with open arms and I fell into them.”
