Dr. Thomas W. Taylor has been named the Virginia Association of School Superintendent’s Region III Superintendent of the Year for the second time. Taylor has led the school division since December 2021 and has been its 4th superintendent in 12 years.

Our most-read story in 2024, so far, has been Taylor’s rap video announcing schools would close on Jan. 16, 2024, for snow.


These achievements highlight local students’ dedication and hard work in pursuing academic excellence. Potomac Local congratulates these high achievers. Send us your local news

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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors and the School Board convened to deliberate over crucial matters concerning the county’s educational system and fiscal landscape.

The gathering, marked by various viewpoints and concerns, encapsulated the multifaceted challenges facing Stafford’s educational infrastructure and underscored the imperative for collaborative solutions.


Kimberly Jones, a reading support teacher at Baldwin Intermediate School in Manassas, has been named the 2024 Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year for the school division. Jones, who has been teaching for 12 years and is in her second year at Manassas City, expressed her gratitude for the recognition.

“Earning this recognition is an incredible honor,” Jones said. “It represents my dedication and hard work in education and validates my passion for teaching and fostering student success.”


Stafford County Public Schools will commence kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 academic year on March 6. Parents and guardians of children who reach the age of five by September 30, 2024, are encouraged to complete the online registration process.

Several documents are requisite for enrollment, including a driver’s license or photo ID for the parent or guardian, the child’s official birth certificate, current physical and updated immunization records before the school’s opening, and proof of residence or domicile. The latter entails providing a deed, lease, or tax bill, along with two additional current documents, such as utility bills tied to the home, employment verification, tax documents, or other official correspondences.


Stafford Schools initiated the on-site solar installation endeavor in 2020, partnering with Sun Tribe Solar as the project developer and Madison Energy Infrastructure (MEI) as the financier and managing partner. This week, the installation initiative integrates into the educational curriculum as students interact with solar professionals to gain insights into the solar array, explore careers in renewable energy, and construct their solar circuits.

“Our mission is to inspire and empower our students so that they are prepared to excel, and this project certainly sets them up to be global changemakers,” states Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor in a press release. “I am delighted that the installation has aligned perfectly with Career and Technical Education Month, allowing us to showcase diverse, in-demand careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as clean energy.”


The Manassas City School Board and Council held a joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to discuss future plans for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School following the Board’s design approval on Feb. 13, 2024.

Council and board members met to move the process along and hopefully reach an agreement on a Special Use Permit (SUP) the School Board must obtain from the City Council before school construction may begin. Obtaining an SUP will move the decision to approve the designs and construction to the Planning Commission and then the City Council for a vote.


The National Merit Scholarship Program has selected Skye Auger at Osbourn Park High School and Joseph Dietrich at Patriot High School as 2024 National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

All finalists will be considered for National Merit scholarships awarded in 2024. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will begin notifying scholarship winners by email in March. Prince William County Public Schools posted the news to its website and congratulated to these students for demonstrating through their high academic performance, their great potential for future academic accomplishments.


A total of 831 electricity customers were out in the neighboring Manassas city. Crews have been on site since 3:30 a.m. this morning, trying to reroute power. As of 7:30, all power was restored,  a city spokeswoman tells us.

The outage comes as Prince William police investigate a single-vehicle crash that struck a pole along Old Centreville Rd in front of Yorkshire ES. The driver fled—prolonged traffic impacts expected due to needed repairs. Drivers are urged to expect delays and to follow police directions.


The recognition came as a result of the Woodbridge High cross-country team’s performance, including scores and placements at state championships, victory margins, and their rankings comparison. The association particularly valued leaders who achieved significant milestones like first-time or consecutive championships, the Prince William County Public Schools division notes in a press release.

Since becoming coach in 2011, McGreal has led the team to district, regional, and state titles through her commitment and coaching methods.


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