Schools

$73M Approved Plan Includes New Dean School, Metz Middle School Upgrades

By Uriah Kiser

At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Manassas City School Board approved the fiscal year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which outlines significant facility and resource investments to improve the district’s educational environment.

The Board unanimously passed the $73 million plan. It includes several projects aimed at upgrading school facilities, addressing maintenance needs and creating more engaging spaces for learning. A notable addition is the installation of new bleachers at Metz Middle School.

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Drew Middle School Rebuild Sparks Debate Over $16 Million Cost Increase

By Uriah Kiser

The planned rebuild of Drew Middle School in Stafford County is moving forward amid discussions about a $16 million increase in costs. The updated total is now $113 million, up from the originally approved $96.5 million in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan.

The additional costs are attributed to land acquisition, off-site infrastructure improvements, and increased contingency funding.

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Prince William County School Board Approves New Cell Phone Policy Amidst Debate

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County Schools Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade reads to students at Haymarket Elementary School. [Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

Under the new policy, students must store their cell phones in lockers or designated areas during school hours, a measure aimed at fostering greater focus and reducing distractions. Exceptions are made for medical needs and approved educational uses.

The policy represents a shift toward stricter regulations, replacing the previous system that allowed limited use during non-instructional periods such as lunch and class changes.

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Prince William County School Board Approves 2025-2026 Calendar

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Schools]

The Board approved Option A, which has students starting school on Aug. 19 and finishing on June 12. Teacher workdays in this option begin on Aug. 11 and all major holidays — including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Presidents Day and Memorial Day, to name a few — will be observed.

According to a PWCS news release on Nov. 20, the first day of school may be moved to Aug. 18 depending on the Board’s decision in January to revise its own policy to observe Eid al-Adha — one of the major holidays in Islam — which falls on May 26 and May 27 in 2026. PWCS already observes Eid al-Fitr, the other official Islamic holiday.

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Delegate Paul Milde Introduces Bill to Close Tobacco and Vaping Loophole in Schools

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County) has introduced legislation aimed at closing a loophole created last year by HB 790, which inadvertently allowed underage students to possess tobacco and vaping devices on school grounds without facing legal consequences.

The proposed legislation comes in response to growing concerns from law enforcement and community leaders who have noted the impact of the loophole on schools and extracurricular activities. While Stafford County schools reported a 21% decrease in vaping incidents over the past year, with 23 incidents in 2024 compared to 29 in 2023, officials remain vigilant about preventing access to these products by minors.

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Sexual Assault Investigation Underway at Osbourn Park High School

By Potomac Local News

Authorities have launched an investigation following a report of a sexual assault that occurred earlier this school year at Osbourn Park High School.

The incident, which reportedly occurred within a school bathroom during the first two weeks of the academic year, was disclosed to police and school officials on November 15, prompting an immediate response.

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Meet the Principal: Q+A with Baldwin Elementary’s David Rupert

By Caitlyn Meisner

Welcome (or welcome back) to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.”

We started this series at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year with the nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County Schools, but now let’s turn our attention to the new and existing Manassas City Public Schools principals. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

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Stafford High Schools Struggle to Enforce Classroom Cell Phone Ban as Violations Soar

By Potomac Local News

According to the district’s monthly incident reports, high schools in Stafford County experienced a surge in disciplinary issues in September 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.

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New Superintendent, Silent Schools: Stafford’s Communication Breakdown

By Uriah Kiser

Meet the Principal Series Continues: Manassas Local Editor Caitlyn Meisner launched this series at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year to introduce nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County Schools. Now, we’re shifting focus to highlight the new and existing principals in Manassas City Public Schools. Each principal has answered the same questions (in bold), and their responses will be shared below. Stay tuned as we continue to profile the educational leaders shaping our community’s schools.

Choir Call Answered: We called for Christmas choir performances, and you delivered! The Gainesville Community Choir (GCC) submitted a video and press release about their upcoming shows. Keep those choir videos coming—I’m excited to feature them during the holiday season!

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