Stafford County Schools is still working to resolve a transportation crisis.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Stafford County School Board met on Tuesday, August 6, to discuss several significant capital improvement projects, focusing on school replacements, renovations, and new facilities. Acting Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Fulmer led the discussion, emphasizing the early stages of these projects and the need for careful planning.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Stafford County School Board has provided a detailed timeline for its search for a new school division superintendent. During a recent board meeting, the consulting firm JG Consulting, hired to assist with the search, presented the timeline and key milestones.

The search is currently in the community engagement phase. JG Consulting has conducted meetings with various groups within Stafford County, both internally and externally, to gather input on the leadership qualities desired in the next superintendent.

“We’ve just completed two days of meetings with various groups to gather input for developing the leadership profile of the next superintendent,” said a representative from JG Consulting during a school board meeting on August 6, 2024. Dr. Thomas Taylor held the position for two and a half years before leaving in June 2024 to become the superintendent of public schools in Montgomery County, Md.

The leadership profile, which will guide the board in selecting candidates, is expected to be presented for review and approval by September 10. Following this, the application process for candidates will be open from September 11 through October 11.

During the candidate review phase, each board member will receive digital information on the candidates, including resumes, academic transcripts, and other relevant documents. The board will also have access to videos of the candidates responding to questions.

During the meeting, board members raised several questions, focusing on the process and the candidates’ privacy.

Falmouth Board member Dr. Sarah Chase asked about the decision not to hold public interviews. “From my experience, public interviews can deter top candidates from applying, as it might jeopardize their current jobs,” Chase noted.

JG Consulting confirmed that public interviews are not required in Virginia and explained that publicizing the process could reduce the number of high-quality applicants. “We agree that public interviews can limit the applicant pool and recommend against them unless required by law,” the representative said.

Rock Hill School Board member Patricia Healey inquired about the consistency of background checks for all candidates, asking, “Will they be consistent for all candidates? And can we make it clear in the announcement that public forums will not be conducted?”

The consultant assured the board that all background checks would follow a formal checklist and that the confidential nature of the search would be communicated. “Yes, the background checks will be consistent for all candidates, following a formal checklist,” the representative confirmed.

Student School Board member Joellaine Duku echoed concerns about public forums deterring candidates, saying, “I agree with Dr. Chase on avoiding public forums for the same reasons. It’s important to ensure candidates aren’t deterred from applying.”

What parents want

Stephanie Mojica, a Stafford County parent, moderates an online discussion group for parents concerned about the county’s public schools. “Citizens Advocating for SCPS Students,” serves as a platform where parents, teachers, and community members discuss various issues affecting Stafford County Public Schools.

During the coronavirus-era government-mandated school building closures, Mojica started the group in 2021. “We were trying to get parents on board who were having the same concerns I was having with the shutdown of our schools,” she said. The group has grown to over 1,000 members, allowing parents to share information and discuss concerns.

One of the primary concerns raised in the group is the ongoing search for a new superintendent. Stafford County is conducting a national search for its second superintendent in two and a half years following the departure of Dr. Taylor. Parents in the group have expressed a desire for stability in the school system’s leadership.

“Parents want to have a superintendent that’s going to stay awhile, not use Stafford as a stepping stone,” Mojica said. She added that parents are looking for someone who will be responsive to their concerns and committed to seeing their vision through. “One parent told me they’d like to see a superintendent willing to stay in our community to see their vision through,” she said.

The group has also discussed issues related to school safety, including the handling of bullying and the use of cell phones in classrooms. “Bullying is a major concern that seems to have gotten worse over time, possibly due to a lack of consequences for the bullies,” Mojica said. She noted that some parents have had to withdraw their children from the public school system due to the impact of bullying.

The use of cell phones in schools is another hot topic in the group. While most parents agree that phones should not be used during instructional time, there is debate over whether a complete ban is practical. “We live in a different world now, and completely banning phones might not be practical,” Mojica said.

The school division was one of the first in Virginia to ban cell phone use in the classroom for the 2024-25 school year. Following its decision, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order requiring public schools to ban phones in classrooms by 2025.

Interviews to begin

The first round of interviews is scheduled for mid-October. “The first round of interviews will take place over two consecutive days, depending on the number of candidates,” the JJ Consulting representative said.

The final round of interviews will occur later in October and involve the top two or three candidates. The board is encouraged to plan their schedules for these interviews now.

JJ Consulting will continue to update the board as the search progresses. The community is invited to participate in the process through online surveys available on the district’s website. All feedback will remain anonymous.

“The application process will open on September 11 and run through October 11,” the JJ Consulting representative stated, emphasizing the key dates in the search process.

The Stafford County School Board is expected to make its final selection for the new superintendent following the completion of the interview process in October.

Associate Superintendent Chris Fulmer is leading the school division through the transition.

As of Sunday, August 11, 2024, many children had not been assigned bus routes for the first school days,  August 12 and 13. The school division asked parents to drive their children to school during the first week of classes while it scrambled to provide bus service.

Starting in July, and now again following the bus shortage announcement, we’ve asked elected county school board members for interviews and have received no response.

With some students returning to class tomorrow, parents in Stafford County are expressing frustration and concern as some students have yet to be assigned bus routes for the upcoming school year. In a letter sent to families, Karim Johnson, the Executive Director of Transportation Services, acknowledged the delay and apologized for the oversight, assuring parents that his team was working diligently to resolve the issue.

The first day of school for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students is tomorrow, Monday, August 12, 2024. All other students will return to school on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Johnson emphasized that the transportation team works around the clock to ensure all students receive their bus assignments by Monday evening.

“We fully understand how stressful and inconvenient this situation is, especially as you’re preparing your children for their first week back at school,” Johnson wrote. “We deeply regret that this issue has not yet been resolved, and we are truly sorry for any anxiety this has caused.”

The letter also included a request for parents to drive their children to and from school during the first week if their child’s bus route is not assigned by Monday evening. Johnson acknowledged the inconvenience this request may cause and apologized for the disruption it may cause.

Parents are encouraged to check the MyRideK-12 app for updates on their child’s bus route assignment. Johnson assured families that the district is doing everything possible to resolve the issue quickly and that no student will be penalized for being tardy or absent due to transportation problems.

The school division is without a full-time superintendent after Dr. Thomas Taylor left the school division in June to lead public schools in Montgomery County, Md.

More as we have it.  Here is the full letter:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to address an issue that I know is causing significant frustration and concern for many of you. It has come to our attention that some students have not yet been assigned a bus route for the upcoming school year. Please accept our sincerest apologies for this delay and oversight. Our team is working diligently to complete the routes and bus assignments as quickly as possible

We fully understand how stressful and inconvenient this situation is, especially as you’re preparing your children for their first week back at school. We deeply regret that this issue has not yet been resolved, and we are truly sorry for any anxiety this has caused.

Our team is working around the clock to ensure that all students receive their bus route assignments by Monday evening. We know that the current uncertainty is far from ideal, and we genuinely appreciate your patience as we finalize these arrangements. Please continue to check MyRideK-12 for your child’s assignment through Monday night.

If, by Monday evening, your child’s route still hasn’t been assigned, we ask for your continued understanding. If possible, we would be grateful if you could drive your child to and from school during the first week while we complete the routing process. We know this is not a small request, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

We want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to resolve this as quickly as possible. Your child’s safety and your peace of mind are incredibly important to us, and we are committed to making things right. Please know that your child will not be penalized for being tardy or absent as it relates to a bus assignment or transportation issue.

If your child does not need transportation, please disregard this letter.

Thank you for your understanding and for bearing with us during this frustrating time. We ask that you continue to check the My Ride K-12 App for updates.

Please accept my sincere apologies,

Karim Johnson

Executive Director of Transportation Services

Teachers will return to Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) on Monday, August 12, 2024. The second-largest school division in Virginia is gearing up for the return of its 92,000 students on August 19, 2024.

Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade shared her excitement for the upcoming school year in a recent message to the community.

“Welcome back to a new and exciting PWCS school year! I hope you and your family enjoyed the summer and are eager to get back into the classroom,” said Dr. McDade. She highlighted the success of a recent community event, organized in collaboration with the Prince William County Community Foundation, which drew over 6,000 students, families, and community members to celebrate the start of the school year. “I was so energized to see our community come together, and I invite you to watch all the fun we could capture.”

As students and families prepare for the new school year, McDade emphasized the importance of accessing essential back-to-school information available on the PWCS Back to School webpage. Parents and guardians are reminded to complete the annual Back to School Packet in ParentVUE, where they can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete necessary policy reviews and acknowledgments. Completion of this packet is required to access class schedules and bus stop information.

Class schedules for elementary school students will be available on August 11, while secondary school schedules, including those for K-8 and traditional schools, will be accessible on August 14 in both ParentVUE and StudentVUE.

Virginia law mandates all students must be adequately immunized by August 15 to begin school on August 19. Parents can view their child’s immunization compliance status in ParentVUE.

PWCS is also implementing changes to its transportation system this year, consolidating bus stops to ensure timely arrival at schools. Transportation details will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on August 12. Families are encouraged to check their child’s bus stop information, as some stops may have changed from last year. The median distance from home to bus stop has increased from 0.10 mile to 0.23 mile.

As we told you last week, the school division will also require students to put away their cell phones while in the classrooms.

As the school year approaches, Dr. McDade welcomes new and returning teachers, who will begin preparing their classrooms and curriculums on August 12 in anticipation of the first day of school on August 19.

“We are committed to ensuring a safe, successful, and enriching school year for all our students,” said Dr. McDade. “Let’s make this year one of growth, learning, and community togetherness.”

*This story has been corrected.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that the Virginia Lottery’s fiscal year 2024 profits exceeded $934 million, the highest in its 36-year history. All profits from the Lottery go towards supporting K-12 public education in the Commonwealth.

Since 1999, Virginia Lottery profits have generated over $12 billion for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. 10% of the Virginia K-12 education budget comes from the Lottery. The record profits in FY24 were driven by over $5.5 billion in sales, the highest ever. Tickets were purchased at over 5,300 businesses and online, and retailers earned $142 million in commissions and bonuses. Of that $5.5 billion, players received $4.2 billion in prizes, with 77 cents returned for every dollar spent. The Lottery also recorded a low administrative cost rate of 3.8%, which will be finalized after a standard audit by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

The Virginia Lottery website has unofficial reports of the amounts received by each locality in FY24. The distribution is determined by the approved state budget, and based on factors like student enrollment and prioritized programs.

Fredericksburg City Schools     $2.6 million
Stafford County Schools           $18.4 million,
Prince William County Schools    $64.7 million
Manassas City Schools     $8.8 million
Spotsylvania County Schools    $16 million.

Virginians voted for a state-operated lottery in 1987, with the use of lottery proceeds to be determined by the General Assembly. The use of the proceeds has changed over time. In 1989, Lottery proceeds were dedicated to capital-construction projects, then 1990 to 1998, they were transferred to the state’s General Fund. In 1999, a state budget amendment sent Lottery proceeds to local public-school divisions to be used solely for educational purposes.

In 2000, more than 80% of Virginia voters said yes to the creation of the State Lottery Proceeds Fund, which is now a permanent part of the state constitution directing all Lottery profits to be used solely for education purposes.

Fredericksburg Free Press: Gladys West may be referred to as a “Hidden Figure,” but her name will be visibly and prominently celebrated at Fredericksburg’s new elementary school.

Read More

At the Meet-the-Principals Night on Monday, August 5, 2024, Osbourn High School in Manassas introduced a new initiative to enhance the learning environment: the "Phone Home."

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

Stafford County teachers returned to school today, August 5, 2024, to prepare for the new school year. The morning began with volunteers from Mount Church providing backpacks to students. They donated over 300 backpacks filled with supplies and sorted through all donations from the recent Collect for Kids event.

A representative from Stafford Public Schools expressed appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts, saying, “Thank you to the Mount Church Volunteers for starting the morning with a heart of service for our students coming BackToExcellence. None of this is possible without the continued support of the Stafford community.” Stafford Public Schools students will return to class on Tuesday, August 13.

In Prince William County, the school division partnered with the Prince William Community Foundation for the annual Back to School Community Fair over the weekend. The back-to-school fair was held at Unity Reed High School near Manassas on Saturday, August 3, 2024. School in Prince William County begins on Monday, August 19.

The Prince William Community Foundation, partnered with the school division to host the event, and shared their gratitude on social media, stating, “Words cannot express my gratitude for an exceptional time we had! Thank you to everyone who was a part or played a part in our Back-to-School Community Event. Together, we Can Make a Difference.”

Thank you to the @MtAraratorg Volunteers for starting the morning with a heart of service for our students coming #BackToExcellence. They generously donated more than 300 stuffed backpacks and sorted through all of our Collect for Kids donations from this weekend’s donate and… pic.twitter.com/InCnKV2TWo

— Stafford Schools (@SCPSchools) August 5, 2024

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will ban personal wireless communication devices, including cell phones, during high, middle, K-8, and traditional school instructional periods starting in the upcoming school year. It joins Stafford County and Fredericksburg public schools in requiring students to turn off and store cell phones during instructional time.

Press release:

PWCS is excited to welcome students back to school on Aug. 19! To help prepare our families for the first day, below are 10 key things you need to know for a successful start to the 2024-25 school year. More details will be shared in the coming days and weeks:

Schedules
Elementary schedules will be available on Aug. 11, and secondary schedules, including K-8 and traditional schools, will be available on Aug. 14, in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.

Tax Free Weekend for School Supplies
The three-day Virginia Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 2-4. Check your school’s webpage for supply lists.

Complete the annual Back to School Packet
The Back to School Packet will be available on Aug. 6 in ParentVUE. Please contact your student’s school if you do not have a ParentVUE account.

New Wireless Device Rules
Coming to high, middle, K-8, and traditional schools, use of personal wireless communication devices (cell phones) will be prohibited during instructional periods. More details will be shared soon.

New Bus Stops
As part of the transportation improvements announced earlier this year, many students may have new bus stops. Transportation information will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Aug. 12.

Free meals expanded to 24 more schools

Code of Behavior Updates
The PWCS Code of Behavior has been clarified that expulsion must be considered in the case of substance abuse offenses, weapons offenses, group assault, and assault on staff (as set forth in Virginia Code § 22.1-277.08). The updated Code of Behavior can be accessed from the Back to School Packet.

Important Health Information
Be sure your student has received required vaccinations.
PWCS has partnered with Hazel Health to provide quality mental health care services for all students at no cost to families. Families must opt-in for their student to receive services. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

Communication Improvements
Coming this school year, based on feedback from parents and guardians, families will have an option to choose their preferred method of communication via an app, emails, and/or texts. Stay tuned for details.

Curriculum Updates
Virginia Literacy Act/English Language Arts – The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requires school divisions to develop a literacy plan to implement this school year. These enhancements will ensure success for all students.
Math Curriculum Update – The Virginia Board of Education updated the math Standards of Learning. PWCS will be implementing the new standards this school year.