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.

Her impact was on full display during a recent school math event, where students showcased their math skills in interactive ways. A crowd favorite was Dash the Robot, which helped students explore coding through hands-on programming activities. The school community turned out in force, with staff, families, and volunteers all contributing to the event’s success.

“She’s more than just a teacher—she’s a role model who empowers students and builds lasting connections,” said a parent of one of Huser’s students. Former students echoed that praise, calling her classes fun, engaging, and a safe space to learn and grow.

Huser was one of 13 finalists from the region considered for the prestigious Washington Post honor.

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees may get an additional 1.5% salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, pending School Board approval on June 24.

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MANASSAS, Va. – A spirited discussion emerged at the June 5 Manassas City School Board work session as board members debated whether the district should allow teachers to assign zeroes to students who fail to turn in assignments.

The proposal, introduced by board member Sara Brescia, aims to revise the current grading policy, which uses a 50–100 scale and does not allow grades below 50%, even for missing work. Brescia argued that the lack of a true zero disincentivizes student effort.

“Some students are calculating how many assignments they can skip and still pass,” Brescia said. “We need to help students develop habits that prepare them for life after graduation.”

Brescia’s proposal was modeled after policies in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, which use placeholders like “M” (missing) or “I” (incomplete) to indicate missing work. If a student makes no attempt within two weeks, a zero may be recorded. Brescia clarified that her proposal would retain the current grading scale but introduce a structured consequence for prolonged inaction.

Background: Ongoing Debate Over Grading Policy

This latest conversation follows a series of policy discussions stretching back nearly a year. On July 24, 2024, the board approved an amendment to the 2024–2025 grading policy allowing students to receive full credit for assignments turned in up to two weeks late and before the end of the quarter. The policy was adopted with a 5–1 vote, with only board member Robyn Williams dissenting.

Prior to the vote, the board had reviewed three different late-work policies, each retaining the 50–100 grading scale and incorporating flexibility around remediation and retakes. All were part of a broader effort to reimagine grading systems in response to post-pandemic challenges and declining student engagement.

Brescia also addressed this issue on an August 1, 2024 podcast episode hosted by Potomac Local News, where she outlined her perspective on why grading policies must evolve to better reflect both student learning and accountability.

The topic resurfaced publicly again in October 2024 as a major campaign issue during the school board election, when Potomac Local News reported on declining Standards of Learning (SOL) scores and community frustration with inconsistent grading expectations across classrooms.

Board Member Perspectives

In Favor of Exploring Zeroes (with Conditions):

• Sara Brescia: Advocated for zeroes as a last-resort tool after a grace period, saying current policy allows students to “game the system.”
• Dayna-Marie Miles: Supported the proposal based on personal and professional experience, arguing it encourages responsibility and prepares students for college and employment.

Opposed to Zeroes:

• Dr. Zella Jones: Warned that zeroes discourage students, distort academic achievement, and deepen learning gaps.
• Diana Brown: Emphasized the need for data-driven decision-making and cautioned against changes based on perception alone.
• Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman: Defended the 50–100 scale as a normalized 10-point system and stressed the need for equitable policies that account for external challenges facing students.

Other members, including Vice Chair Lisa A. Stevens and Chair Suzanne W. Seaberg, called for deeper analysis and input from teachers, students, and families before any further action.

While only two members expressed immediate interest in revisiting the grading policy, the board agreed decided not to conduct a broader data review in the coming school year. That analysis may would have included:

• Counts of 50s assigned for attempted vs. missing work (newly trackable in PowerSchool).
• Feedback from students, parents, and educators.
• Comparisons with college acceptance trends and GPA recovery rates.

Initially, the school board discussed setting a goal to bring back a comprehensive report before determining whether to propose formal changes, but most members changed their minds.

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected.

Luis Riveron-Wong, a custodial shift supervisor in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), won the RISE Award, for his work at Weems Elementary School.

"I felt happy, excited, grateful, valued and above all blessed," Riveron-Wong said of winning the award. "Being recognized with this award has a very big and important meaning because it shows that I’m on the right path, that I’m doing things well and that my work is valued and appreciated by others."

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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.

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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.