Schools - Page 8 of 204 - Potomac Local News

VEA Imposes Emergency Trusteeship on Prince William Education Association

Published July 22, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated July 22, 2025 at 11:53AM

[Photo: Prince William Education Association Facebook page]

In a letter sent July 21 to PWEA members, VEA President Carol Bauer wrote that the state union had found “gross financial mismanagement,” including altered board minutes meant to obscure the absence of authorized spending controls. VEA claimed PWEA officers ignored financial rules, failed to document expenditures properly, and reimbursed each other without proper oversight.

“You deserve the truth,” Bauer told members in the letter, promising to rebuild PWEA into “the strong, honest union you deserve.”

Three Candidates Enter Garrisonville School Board Race, Promising Parental Voice and Accountability

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 22, 2025 at 7:30AM

Blackwell, Siegmund, Mojica

STAFFORD, Va. – Three candidates are running for the Garrisonville District seat on the Stafford County School Board, setting up a closely watched contest centered on transparency, parent engagement, and education priorities.

Maureen Siegmund, the incumbent and current chairwoman of the School Board, will seek re-election to a second term. She faces a rematch with Wanda Blackwell, who lost to Siegmund in 2021 by just 41 votes, and Stephanie Mojica, a first-time candidate and Stafford County mother of three.

Manassas School Board to Review Jennie Dean Construction, Updated Code of Conduct, and Bullying Prevention Plan

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 21, 2025 at 7:30AM

MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City School Board will meet Tuesday, July 22, to review progress on key projects ahead of the new school year, including construction of the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, changes to the division’s Code of Conduct, and strategies to address bullying in schools.

Jennie Dean construction update

Prince William County Kids Learn Coding and Robotics at Summer LEGO Camp

By Potomac Local News

Published July 18, 2025 at 3:19PM

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A group of curious and creative 10-year-olds is spending the summer building robots, learning to code, and discovering new passions at a hands-on STEM camp in Prince William County.

Held this at Mullen Elementary School near Manassas, the First LEGO League Camp gives rising fourth and fifth-graders a chance to build and program robots while learning valuable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance.

Future Healthcare Workers Get Hands-On Experience at Sentara Summer Camp

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 15, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 2:02PM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – At first glance, it looked like a typical hospital simulation: blinking mannequins, beeping monitors, and focused students practicing CPR and drawing blood. But for 14-year-old students like those in the room at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, it was a first glimpse into what a future career in medicine might look like.

Sixteen rising 8th and 9th graders from Prince William County Public Schools spent a week at the hospital as part of the Sentara Healthcare Career Camp, a free summer program designed to expose youth to the wide array of healthcare professions beyond just doctors and nurses.

Osbourn High’s Campus Connector Project: ‘On Time and On Budget’

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published July 14, 2025 at 9:00AM

Site work has begun on the Osbourn High School connector in Manassas. [Courtesy of Manassas City Public Schools]

According to Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) officials, Osbourn High School’s connector project, which aims to provide a safe walking space from the school’s main building to the Johnson Learning Center, is “on time and under budget.”

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Thinking About Teaching? School Divisions Still Have Openings as the First Day Nears

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:00PM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

STAFFORD, Va. – The window to become a new teacher in our area is closing, but school divisions are still hiring as the first day of the 2025–26 school year approaches.

In Stafford County, just over 120 licensed staff positions remained open as of late June. Of those, 98 are classroom teaching roles, while the rest include specialists like counselors. “Special education across all grades and elementary positions are our highest-need areas,” said Patrick Byrnett, the division’s Chief Talent Officer.

Forest Park High Earns National Green Flag for Environmental Leadership

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published July 1, 2025 at 11:15AM

The National Wildlife Federation and EcoSchools U.S. awarded Forest Park High School the Green Flag, making it the first school in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to receive this prestigious recognition. The award highlights the school’s commitment to sustainability education and promoting positive environmental change within the community.

For Ashley Tayon, the school’s sustainability coordinator, and her students, the Green Flag was the main goal for the year. “It was truly an honor to be part of the new sustainability movement within PWCS,” Tayon stated in a press release, adding that the achievement was a collaborative effort among students, staff, and community partners. Their initiatives included collecting data, developing action plans, and diverting 1,600 pounds of waste from landfills.

Manassas City School Board Approves 7% Staff Salary Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published June 30, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Manassas City Public School Board. [Courtesy of MCPS]

Throughout a tight budget cycle, the Board was unsure if they would be able to fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from both City Council and the Commonwealth. Many Board members had expressed a desire for a 7% salary increase to match other neighboring jurisdictions.

Prince William County Schools, for example, came to an agreement with the Prince William Education Association for a historic $160 million investment over a two-year period. This results in a 7% wage increase in fiscal year 2026.

Huser Named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published June 20, 2025 at 7:30AM

Abigail Huser, a life science teacher and department lead at Metz Middle School, has been named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year. Known for her energy, leadership, and dedication, Huser is being recognized for going the extra mile to support students’ academic and personal growth.

Huser joined MCPS in 2022 and quickly became a mentor, coach, and instructional leader. From translating lessons for multilingual learners to coaching the volleyball team, she brings creativity and heart to everything she does. Metz Principal Juliet Finnegan called her “the teacher every student hopes to have,” praising her ability to create a classroom culture rooted in curiosity and respect.