MANASSAS, Va. – The April 2025 meeting of the Manassas City School Board opened with inspiring highlights from Osbourn High School, as Superintendent Dr. Kevin Quesada and Communications Director Almeta Radford recognized two student achievement programs that reflect the school division’s growing emphasis on career readiness and technical skills.

Osbourn’s SkillsUSA Team Earns Statewide Honors
Maggie Connors, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department Chair and SkillsUSA advisor, led the presentation recognizing students who excelled in state and regional competitions. SkillsUSA, a national organization supporting technical education, showcased the talents of Osbourn students in criminal justice, photography, and more.

Students were honored for their medal-winning performances and commitment to public service and career development:

• Suzette Ferrafino – Silver Medal, Criminal Justice
• Anaya Evans – Gold Medal (Photography, not present)
• Yureci Zarzua – Bronze Medal, Prepared Speech
• Anna Baruff – Demonstrated fingerprinting for Job Skills Demonstration A

Others competed in Crime Scene Investigation and Job Interview events

Four seniors were recognized for earning graduation cords after multiple years of participation:

Jasmine Bowman (President), Suzette Ferrafino (Vice President), Yaritza Martinez (Secretary), Gabriela Claros Ferrafino (Treasurer)
Partnerships with the Manassas Police Department played a significant role in preparing students, with special thanks given to Capt. Petty and Officer Rodriguez.

CyberPatriot Team Highlighted for National STEM Excellence
Radford also spotlighted Osbourn’s CyberPatriot team, a student-led cybersecurity group mentored by retired Lockheed Martin engineer Dave Frederick. The team participates in a national competition sponsored by the Air Force Association, learning hands-on cybersecurity and networking skills.

Students were honored for mastering Windows and Linux system administration, Cisco networking, and high-level security protocols. Participants included:

Lucas Katama, Lavette Gaither, Dimas Gonzalez Ramos, Gabriela Hernandez Najaro, Rafaela Urquizo Hurtado, and MJ (full name unclear)
Radford credited Frederick for his unwavering mentorship, not only of the cybersecurity team but also Osbourn’s robotics program and new teachers.

Gratitude and Community Presence
The board and Radford thanked students, staff, and local partners for their dedication. Special recognition was also given to Manassas Commissioner of the Revenue Tim DeMaria and the Manassas Education Association leadership for attending the meeting.

“These programs show the heart of our schools,” said Radford. “From technical skills to public service, our students are achieving remarkable things.”

Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, has been named the 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year for Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS). The award was announced on April 24, 2025, and honors principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and create impactful learning environments. Hupman has served as principal at Weems since 2022 and is recognized for improving student outcomes and school culture.

Here’s the full press release:

Manassas City Public Schools is excited to recognize Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, as the division’s 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year. This distinguished honor recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their role to create exceptional learning environments, inspire excellence in school leadership, and foster meaningful improvements in their school communities.

Hupman, who has served as principal of Weems Elementary since 2022, was surprised with the announcement on Thursday, April 24, by Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman, Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller, and Executive Director of Human Resources Billie Kay Wingfield. She was presented with flowers and a banner to hang proudly outside the school for the next year.

A passionate educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Hupman is recognized by staff and peers as a transformative leader who brings energy, empathy, and excellence to every facet of her role. Under her leadership, Weems has seen notable improvements in academic achievement, student attendance, and school culture.

Her nomination was supported by heartfelt letters from multiple staff members, praising her hands-on leadership and uplifting presence.

“‘Have a good day on purpose’—that’s Mrs. Hupman’s tagline, and it resonates! She is positivity personified,” wrote Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Wendy King.

Whether greeting students with hugs, participating in Collaborative Learning Team meetings, attending every after-school event, or setting up monthly attendance celebrations, Hupman is known for showing up, pitching in, and lifting others up. Her leadership style is rooted in service, community connection, and a relentless belief in every student’s potential.

“She has been instrumental in improving our school culture, fostering team spirit, and encouraging inclusion and collaboration among staff, students, the community, and the PTO,” Instructional Assistant Hira Panth noted.

Others praised her leadership in professional learning and her deep investment in staff development.

“She is consistently making sure that the students are at the forefront of all the work we do and teachers have the tools needed to be successful,” said Dhanel Brown, Weems’ Instructional Facilitator. “It is because of her that I decided to apply for the role of Instructional Facilitator—she saw leadership qualities in me that I had yet to see in myself.”

Hupman was one of 27 finalists from the Washington metropolitan area selected to compete for the Post’s Principal of the Year Award.

MANASSAS, Va. —  A false lockdown alert briefly disrupted the start of the school day at Osbourn High School, located at 1977 Eagle Way in Manassas, after a technical error mistakenly triggered a security alarm around 9:12 a.m.

The Manassas City Police Department, which has a school resource officer (SRO) stationed at the school, confirmed that the alert was a false alarm caused by a technology error. Police say they were already on the scene when the alert was issued and remained in constant communication with school administrators throughout the incident.

Manassas City Public Schools also confirmed that the building was secured as a precaution and that the “all-clear” was issued by 9:13 a.m. Normal school operations have since resumed.

“We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community,” the school division said in a statement to families.

Police spokeswoman Alexis Williams emphasized that “everything is okay” and that no threat to students or staff occurred.

MANASSAS, Va. — The Manassas City School Board on Tuesday heard an update on the division’s plan to adopt a new primary mathematics curriculum resource, set to be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Manassas City School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 8, opened with a series of uplifting spotlights showcasing the accomplishments of students and staff across the school division.

From regional wrestling champions to student coders designing robots, the evening was filled with celebration, applause, and pride in student success.

Osbourn Robotics Team Engineers a Win

The night concluded with a crowd-pleasing demonstration from the Osbourn High School Robotics Team. Coach Leonard Newman introduced the team’s student leaders and rolled in their robot—named FLIC, short for “Forklift Certified”—which they built for this year’s FIRST Robotics competition.

The robot, which extends from 3.5 to 6 feet tall, was designed to complete tasks like moving coral-shaped PVC pipes and hanging from structures. The team competed in two regional events, placing 7th and earning the Quality Award at their first competition in Glen Allen, and securing a spot at the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship.

At the championship, held April 4–6 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Osbourn’s robot briefly held the high score of the event and marked the fourth consecutive year the team has advanced to this level—a streak unmatched by any other team in Prince William County.

Student team leads recognized included MJ Yassa (project manager), Reese Bambara (mechanical), Damas Gonzalez-Ramos (electrical), Sofia Abanez and Eric Hurtado-Hinojosa (software), Theo Wainer (scouting), and Megan Pope (business).

Newman credited not only the students but a dedicated group of parents, sponsors—including Lockheed Martin and Aurora Flight Sciences—and Osbourn administrators for their continued support.

“Every bolt, wire, and piece of code reflects their dedication,” he said

Metz Wrestlers Pin Down Victory

Metz Middle School Athletic Director Anola Douglas, joined by Head Coach Tim Tibbs and Assistant Coach Cruz Martinez, recognized several standout members of the school’s wrestling team. The team recently competed at the regional level, held at Brentsville High School, where they brought home multiple awards.

Eighth-grader Anthony “Gary” Mayer was named the regional champion in the heavyweight division. Other student-athletes honored included Julius Quinn (first place), Darian Escobar (second place), Oliver Young (third place), and Luis Martinez (fourth place).

Music Students Hit High Notes

Douglas, who also serves as Metz’s choir director, returned to highlight student vocalists selected for the All-District Chorus. Eleven students were selected out of 15 who auditioned, an impressive showing for the school. The students also earned superior ratings—top honors—in their district music assessment.

Band Directors Bill Stevens and Jess Leggett continued the accolades, announcing that two Metz band students were recognized in the district’s honor band: Jack Young (first trumpet) and Matthew Worms (top mallet player). The Metz advanced band earned a superior overall rating in their recent performance assessment.

Orchestra Director Gabe Stackauer also shared that Metz’s advanced orchestra earned an excellent rating, including a superior score in sight-reading, during its district-wide evaluation.

The Manassas City School Board has voted 5-2 against allowing collective bargaining for its employees, following a lengthy presentation and passionate discussion during its April 8, 2025, meeting. The decision came after board members weighed financial considerations and community feedback, including from Manassas City Councilwoman Sonia Vazquez Luna, a union leader who voiced her support for the proposal.

The vote on Resolution R2025-03 was preceded by an in-depth presentation from Associate Superintendent John Gefeller, who outlined the fiscal and operational implications of adopting collective bargaining. Gefeller explained that if approved, the school division would need to add six full-time positions, including a chief negotiating officer, chief legal officer, labor relations coordinator, labor specialist, budget analyst/payroll specialist, and administrative assistant.

The estimated cost of these positions, salaries, and benefits would exceed $1 million annually. Additionally, legal costs associated with negotiating a collective bargaining agreement could range from $256,100 to over $993,000, depending on whether the process takes two or four years—durations seen in nearby school divisions.

“Our division has no experience with collective bargaining,” said Gefeller. “We do not have the infrastructure in place to assume responsibility for the collective bargaining process with our current staffing.”

During the discussion, board member Dayna-Marie Miles asked what the school system could afford in lieu of collective bargaining. Gefeller responded that a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for teachers would cost $3.65 million, while the already-proposed 5.5% raise for Fiscal Year 2026 would cost $6.8 million.

Miles suggested that the school division could instead provide one-time bonuses of $2,000 for each of its 640 certified teachers (about $1.28 million) and $1,500 for each of its 535 non-certified staff members (about $802,500), totaling slightly more than $2 million. “Everyone has a pocketbook, but not everyone’s pocketbook is the same,” said Miles, who compared the division’s finances to a single mother of three trying to keep up with a single man with no kids.

Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg, Vice Chair Jill Spall, and members Dayna-Marie Miles, Dr. Zella Jones, and Sara Brescia voted in favor of the resolution, opposing collective bargaining. Board members Lisa Stevens and Diana Brown voted against the resolution.

Councilwoman Sonia Vazquez Luna, who serves as Business Manager for LIUNA Public Service Employees Local 572, spoke during public comment in support of collective bargaining. “This is a matter of respect and fairness,” she said. “Our school staff deserves a voice at the table, just like every other profession that builds strong communities. I’m proud to support them—as both a City Council member and union representative.”

Vazquez Luna’s comments reflected the sentiments of other public speakers who urged the school board to support the resolution. Many expressed frustration that despite years of service and commitment, educators and support staff had limited power to advocate for better pay, working conditions, and benefits.

Opponents of collective bargaining also spoke. One parent questioned whether the proposal was fiscally responsible given the school division’s size and funding constraints. Another resident said she feared that adopting collective bargaining would slow down needed reforms in the school division and tie the hands of school leaders.

Board member Brescia said she supported the resolution to preserve flexibility in budgeting and protect services that benefit students. “There are only three states in the union that allow collective bargaining without giving local school boards the power to raise taxes—Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland,” she said. “This isn’t sustainable.”

Board member Brown, herself a longtime union member, acknowledged the value of union support and representation but ultimately voted against the resolution. “This vote does not mean I oppose collective bargaining in principle,” she said. “But I cannot support it right now given the financial strain it would place on our schools.”

In response to staff feedback, school leaders said they will implement a new “meet and confer” process starting in September. This structured process will allow representatives from each school and employee association to raise concerns, suggest changes, and receive formal responses from the division. Four meetings are planned for the 2025-26 school year.

While the board’s decision effectively halts any immediate progress toward a collective bargaining agreement, the conversation is likely to continue. Several board members said they remained open to the idea in the future—if adequate funding and infrastructure could be secured.

In March 2024, the neighboring Prince William County Public Schools, which is 13 times the size of Manassas schools, ratified its first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Prince William Education Association (PWEA). This three-year agreement, effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, encompasses certified/licensed personnel and classified employees, excluding those not defined as employees in the resolution. The CBA addresses topics such as association and board rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures, and provisions related to salaries, stipends, and benefits.

Prior to this agreement, in December 2022, the School Board adopted a resolution permitting collective bargaining for its employees. This decision followed the 2020 Virginia General Assembly’s legislation that granted school divisions the option to allow collective bargaining, effective May 1, 2021.

Manassas City Public Schools serves 8,000 students in seven schools: five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

The Manassas City School Board will vote Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on whether to formally prohibit collective bargaining with employee unions—a decision that could halt a movement launched earlier this year by local educators.

The resolution up for consideration, R2025-03, declares that no official or employee of the school division has the authority to recognize a labor union as a bargaining agent or to enter into collective bargaining agreements. It reaffirms the board’s current stance of non-engagement with employee unions and instead promotes a “meet and confer” model for addressing employee concerns.

The vote comes two months after the Manassas Education Association (MEA) informed the board it planned to launch a collective bargaining campaign. During a February 5, 2025, school board meeting, board members acknowledged the initiative and discussed potential legal and budgetary ramifications.

“We’re gonna have to budget more money for the attorneys. It’s gonna be a lot,” said Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg at the time.

Board Member Sara Brescia noted the MEA’s intention to notify the board before publicizing the campaign on social media. “They wanted to let us know before they put it on Facebook and heard it from somebody else,” she said.

Under a 2021 Virginia law, local school boards may adopt resolutions allowing or denying collective bargaining. Without such a resolution, no union can legally negotiate on behalf of school employees. The law did not include funding to help localities implement collective bargaining processes.

A presentation by Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller estimates that adopting collective bargaining could cost Manassas City Public Schools more than $1 million annually in staffing and legal fees. Additional costs would arise from arbitration, mediation, and changes to grievance and disciplinary procedures.

Instead of recognizing bargaining agents, the school division plans to create a formal “meet and confer” process. According to Gfeller, this model will establish regular work sessions between school representatives, support staff, employee associations, and administrators to discuss concerns and priorities—excluding issues directly related to personnel.

The School Board’s resolution emphasizes maintaining open communication with employees and fostering a positive workplace through internal advisory councils and committees. It also notes that unresolved disputes between the board and its employees can negatively affect staff morale and student outcomes.

If the resolution passes, it will officially end union negotiations, setting Manassas apart from a growing number of Virginia school divisions that have embraced collective bargaining.

The vote is scheduled during the board’s regular meeting on April 8, which is open to the public.

It was a night of celebration at the Manassas School Board meeting as students from across the city were recognized for excellence in academics, fine arts, and public speaking.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board approved, in a 6-1 decision, the fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday with increased state funding but many priorities remain unfunded.

While most of the budget remains unchanged from the initial presentation on Feb. 25, MCPS received clarity from the state — which provides 50% of the funding for the budget — on how much it would receive.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

Teachers and Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees were vocal about the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a recent Board meeting, voicing concerns over collective bargaining and funding.

The MCPS Board held a budget public hearing during its March 11 meeting, which was largely attended by teachers and employees of the district. The $151 million proposed budget was presented on Feb. 25 with a 5.5% salary increase and a $1 million cut to intervention services for at-risk students.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.