The legislation narrowly advanced to the full House on an 11-10 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. No lawmakers spoke on the bill ahead of the vote.

The bill comes in the wake of multiple controversies involving high school sports programs. In November, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) found Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria violated its eligibility rules for transferring by allowing multiple students to play on its football team.”


Due to extreme cold weather conditions, several school systems in the region have announced delayed openings for today, Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Families are encouraged to monitor updates from their respective school systems for any further changes. Please ensure children are dressed appropriately for the cold weather. Stay warm and safe!


Spotsylvania County Public Schools has been awarded an $8,578 grant from No Kid Hungry Virginia to support and expand its non-congregate breakfast programs. This funding is part of a $201,000 initiative benefiting 10 school districts across the state, aimed at ensuring students have access to healthy morning meals to start their day prepared for success.

The grant will enable Spotsylvania County schools to implement innovative Breakfast After the Bell initiatives, including grab-and-go meals, breakfast in the classroom, and second-chance breakfast models. These flexible options are designed to meet students where they are, addressing barriers like early bus schedules and busy mornings that often prevent participation in traditional breakfast programs.


The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has reopened Goolrick Pool for the spring 2025 semester following a six-month, $1.5 million renovation. The upgraded facility, which first opened in 1969, now boasts modern features designed to enhance functionality and extend the life of the historic pool.

The reopening came just in time for the Eagles’ first home varsity swim meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 18, which was also Senior Day.


Insidenova – “The Manassas City School Board is requesting the appropriation of state funds for a pilot alternative education program.

The board discussed the possibility of such a program in December. Manassas City Public Schools currently has an agreement with Prince William County Public Schools to use its program at Independence Nontraditional School.


Cline has 22 years of military service both in the National Guard and Navy. In the Navy, he spent most of his time assisting in clinical settings or providing medical help in the field. Following his service, Cline returned to education at Leesylvania Elementary, where he’s been teaching for almost 20 years.

In a PWCS release, Cline said he’ll be using the money to purchase new games for his students. He also said he loves watching his students develop skills and gain confidence.


On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Stafford County School Board received a presentation detailing the root causes behind the failure of the school bus transportation system, which left about 3,000 students without a ride during the first week of the 2024-2025 school year this past August.

The analysis, conducted by Transportation Advisory Services (TAS), highlighted organizational restructuring and the rushed implementation of new routing software as major contributors to the debacle.

Departmental Restructuring: Confusion Amid Major Changes

One of the central contributors to the transportation system failure was the significant restructuring of the Stafford County School District’s transportation department. Key changes included shifts in leadership roles, reassignment of personnel, and an overhaul of departmental processes. These changes were introduced without a clear plan for ensuring staff understood their new roles and responsibilities.

The lack of clarity created a ripple effect of confusion among staff, who were left uncertain about their duties and how to collaborate effectively under the new structure. Misaligned expectations and unclear lines of communication resulted in operational inefficiencies, including delays in routing students and coordinating schedules. The confusion further weakened an already strained system, making it difficult to address the logistical challenges that emerged at the start of the school year.

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On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Stafford County School Board voted 6-1 to approve redistricting plan F1 in preparation for the county’s sixth high school opening this Fall 2026. The plan addresses overcrowding and balances student populations across the district’s high schools.

Key Changes Under Plan F1


PWCS has an initiative in place, called “Inspiring Future Innovators: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Talent,” which aims to foster more interest and engagement in careers related to computer science.

VDOE provided funding to several districts throughout the state that also have computer science initiatives in place. These districts include Clarke County Public Schools, Winchester Public Schools and Virginia Beach City Public Schools, among others.


Correction: An earlier version of this article did not include Laura Goldzung’s educational distinction, an Ed.D. We have updated the article and photo caption to reflect her degree.

Tracy Hammond, a special education teacher in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), was recently given the Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year award from the district.


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