STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Thousands of elementary students in Stafford County will head to different schools starting in the 2026-27 school year, following the School Board’s unanimous approval of a countywide redistricting plan.
The board voted on Tuesday, May 13, to adopt Scenario Lime, a boundary adjustment that prepares for the opening of two new elementary schools currently under construction—Elementary School 18 (ES-18) and Elementary School 19 (ES-19).
Which Schools Are Affected?
According to Stafford County Public Schools, the following elementary schools are affected:
- Barrett Elementary
- Conway Elementary
- Ferry Farm Elementary
- Garrisonville Elementary
- Hartwood Elementary
- Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
- Margaret Brent Elementary
- Park Ridge Elementary
- Rock Hill Elementary
- Rocky Run Elementary
- Stafford Elementary
- Widewater Elementary
- Winding Creek Elementary
- Elementary School 18 (ES-18)
- Elementary School 19 (ES-19)
- Neighborhoods such as Rappahannock Landing, Old Forge, and Clearview Heights are among those expected to see students move to different schools under the new boundaries.
Why the Change?
School officials say the redistricting is needed to relieve overcrowding and balance enrollment across the county’s elementary schools. The two new schools are being built to handle growth in areas like Westlake, where new housing developments are underway.
Based on projections shared by school staff, all schools are expected to open under capacity in 2026. However, by 2030, three schools could slightly exceed their limits, with the highest expected utilization at 103%.
What Happens Next?
The changes will go into effect when ES-18 and ES-19 open in fall 2026. School officials plan to notify affected families and provide transition support over the next year.
A proposal to let rising fifth-graders stay at their current schools for one final year—if parents provided transportation—was narrowly rejected in a 4-3 vote. As it stands, all impacted students will move to their new schools in 2026 unless they qualify for a transfer under existing policies.
Looking Ahead
School leaders acknowledge redistricting can be challenging but say this plan positions Stafford’s elementary schools to better serve students as the community grows.
More information, including new boundary maps and transition resources, is expected to be released soon by Stafford County Public Schools.
NORTH STAFFORD, Va. – A local community group concerned about the rapid spread of data centers in Stafford County is inviting residents to learn more at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Porter Branch Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford.
The meeting, hosted by Protect Stafford, comes at a time when communities across Virginia are questioning the true costs and benefits of data center expansion. Just last week, Manassas city officials learned a bank tenant inside a data center managed to sidestep millions of dollars in expected local tax payments, leaving a gap in the city’s budget and raising red flags for other localities facing similar projects.
Protect Stafford hopes to get ahead of those concerns by educating residents about recent data center approvals in Stafford County, including the Stafford Technology Campus, a 504-acre site planned for 23 buildings and six substations, and Amazon’s Potomac Church Tech Center, which includes two buildings and a $7 million investment in local infrastructure.
Group founder Erin Sanzero says the meeting will explain how these projects could reshape Stafford’s land use, environment, energy grid, and tax base. Dominion Energy has already announced rate hikes averaging $252 per year by 2027, driven in part by the infrastructure needed to power these massive facilities.
Sanzero warns that without community involvement, Stafford could face similar budget surprises as Manassas, where promised data center revenues are now in doubt. She emphasized that Protect Stafford is not anti-growth but wants to ensure residents have a voice in how these projects move forward.
The meeting is free and open to the public. More details are available at protectstafford.com.
We’re Going Live on Facebook the Next Day to Dig Even Deeper
The conversation continues the next day on Facebook Live as we look at what happened in Manassas and what it means for Virginia’s future. As we first reported, a bank leased computer servers at the newly built data center. Now, the city will lose millions of anticipated tax revenue, as the bank is exempt from paying specific taxes.
Join us LIVE at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, as we sit down with city leaders to unpack:
- How Manassas lost millions in expected data center taxes
- What does it mean for future city budgets and services
- Statewide implications for communities like Stafford
- Possible policy or zoning changes to prevent future loopholes
? Save the date and watch live on Facebook at 3 p.m. on Wednesday!
Catch up on the full story before the broadcast:
City officials caught off guard as bank tenant sidesteps millions in data center taxes
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our exclusive five-part series, "A Conversation with the Superintendent," featuring an in-depth interview with Dr. Daniel W. Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. In this series, we explore Dr. Smith’s vision, challenges, and priorities—from addressing school transportation issues to tackling equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.
Part 5: Equity and Inclusion — DEI in Today’s Climate
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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved a $2.95 million warehouse purchase on Blackjack Road, siding with school officials who say the facility is essential to meet the district’s growing infrastructure needs, despite concerns from some supervisors who argued the deal was rushed and overpriced.
In a 4-3 vote, the board passed Resolution R25-105, authorizing Stafford County Public Schools to use leftover funds from its FY2024 budget to buy the building at 42 Blackjack Road. The warehouse currently houses several school division operations, including IT storage, bus driver training, and nutrition services. School leaders say owning the space will end the need to rent it and provide a long-term solution as the division grows.
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Drivers traveling on Interstate 95 and local roads through Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg region this week should plan for overnight lane closures, ramp work, and rest area closures, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Dale City Rest Area to Close for Paving
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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County Public Schools rolled out the red carpet on Thursday night to honor its top educators and staff members at the 2025 Gold Star Gala. The annual event recognizes employees across a wide range of roles who help students succeed every day.
The celebration, held before a crowd of staff, students, and community members, included student-led presentations. Gabriella Irish, the 2025 Student Representative to the School Board, kicked off the event with a welcome address. The North Stafford High School Air Force JROTC presented the colors, followed by Mountain View High School student Raina Chan singing the National Anthem.
"The Gold Star Gala honors the outstanding contributions of our Staff of the Year recipients and highlights the passion and excellence that run throughout our organization," said Dr. Daniel W. Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. "Each of our employees plays a vital role in strengthening our schools and inspiring those around us."
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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to spend $2.5 million on land for the long-awaited rebuild of Drew Middle School.
The money, pulled from the county’s Capital Projects Fund, will be transferred to the Schools Capital Projects Fund to buy a new site for the school. The rebuild has been years in the making—and for many in the community, it’s personal.
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STAFFORD, Va. – A vehicle crash involving hazardous materials shut down a section of Town and Country Drive on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.
According to Stafford County Fire and Rescue, crews were called just before 1:30 p.m. to the 100 block of Town and Country Drive, near Ferry Road, for a reported traffic accident. On arrival, responders discovered that the vehicle involved was transporting a large container of herbicide, which was actively leaking at the scene.
Emergency medical personnel treated the driver, who was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Additional fire and hazmat units were brought in to contain the chemical leak, including support from the Regional Hazardous Materials Team based in Prince William County.
Officials said immediate neighbors were notified, but no evacuations were necessary. The roadway remains closed as crews continue to work on containment and cleanup. There is no ongoing threat to the public, authorities confirmed.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes while the incident is being managed.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway is meeting the 'Burg this weekend as Fredericksburg native Tug Coker takes center stage as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The show opened Wednesday, May 7, and a special red-carpet celebration is set for Friday, May 9.
Coker, who was raised in Fredericksburg and graduated from Fredericksburg Academy, brings an impressive résumé to the Riverside stage. Known for his roles on Broadway and on hit shows like The Office, Billions, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this marks his first professional performance in his hometown. He studied theater at the College of William and Mary and played professional basketball overseas before pursuing acting full-time.
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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a major step toward launching a traffic camera program aimed at slowing down drivers in school zones and highway work areas.
Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize County Administrator Bill Ashton to advertise a public hearing for June 17, 2025. The hearing will give residents a chance to weigh in on a proposed ordinance that would allow speed and red-light enforcement cameras in designated areas.
