Manassas City Public Schools

Schools

Tensions rise at joint Council, School Board meeting on Jennie Dean

By Caitlyn Meisner
Manassas Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman

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.

Go to Tensions rise at joint Council, School Board meeting on Jennie Dean Read more
Schools

Manassas City Council and School Board set to address education infrastructure, Jennie Dean Elementary School development

By Potomac Local News
Manassas Mayor Michele Davis Younger speaks at a ribbon cutting outside the John Conner III Public Safety Facility.

On February 20, 2024, the Manassas City Council will meet to discuss matters regarding education infrastructure and the development of the Jennie Dean Elementary School.

The agenda for the meeting encompassed various topics, including updates on the construction progress of the new Jennie Dean Elementary School. Furthermore, council members deliberated on the current condition of the existing school building and explored potential uses for the former Jennie Dean Elementary School building.

Go to Manassas City Council and School Board set to address education infrastructure, Jennie Dean Elementary School development Read more
Originals

Jennie Dean Elementary designs approved

By Caitlyn Meisner

The Manassas City School Board voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, to approve the plans for Jennie Dean Elementary School, moving it forward to the city’s Planning Commission for further approval and discussion.

This decision comes after months of discussions, planning, and devising an amenable school plan to fit the city’s needs. Previous reporting from Potomac Local News has shown contention between City Council and the School Board about this project, which has focused on other projects.

Go to Jennie Dean Elementary designs approved Read more
Originals

Debate ignites over future of Metz Middle School: Community divided on solutions for academic improvement

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

The status report given by second-year Principal Gary Morris at the meeting sparked calls to action to improve Standard of Learning scores and the overall school culture.

School Board member Sara Brescia said the unique nature of Metz – having a 50% turnover rate each school year because the school houses only children in 7th and 8th grades – makes building a consistent, positive culture challenging.

Go to Debate ignites over future of Metz Middle School: Community divided on solutions for academic improvement Read more
Opinion

Manassas City School Board Members call for grading policy reevaluation to boost Metz Middle School performance

By Letters to the Editor
A Manassas City Public Schools teacher and students [Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

We write to you as individual members of the Manassas City School Board regarding the recent article “Metz Middle scores decline…” and the significant online discussion that ensued.

However, we reject the notion that a high share of ESOL students inevitably condemns Metz to its current level of performance. To move forward, we must thoughtfully and accurately identify the problems facing our middle school, and we firmly believe that our students can achieve at a higher level.

Go to Manassas City School Board Members call for grading policy reevaluation to boost Metz Middle School performance Read more
Schools

Metz scores decline: ‘It’s clear…our students need our help urgently’

By Caitlyn Meisner

The Manassas City School Board met on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2o24, in a regular meeting to discuss Grace E. Metz Middle School, revise the calendar, and send off a longtime colleague.

The School Board heard from Grace E. Metz Middle School Principal Gary Morris on student academic success, challenges faced by the school, strategies to improve the workforce, and communication with parents.

Go to Metz scores decline: ‘It’s clear…our students need our help urgently’ Read more
Schools

Manassas School Board hears updated plans for new Jennie Dean Elementary School

By Uriah Kiser

“Representatives from the contractor working on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School recently presented updated plans to the Manassas City Public School Board, including space for keeping sports fields on the site, reports Emily Seymour at Insidenova.com. “The proposed design plan is a version of design “Concept E,” which would place the school on the northern part of the site and would displace the fields that currently exist.”

Go to Manassas School Board hears updated plans for new Jennie Dean Elementary School Read more
Schools

School, fields, and electricity topics at a year-end Manassas meeting

By Lynn Forkell Greene

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis held an end-of-year wrap-up discussion focused on rebuilding Jennie Dean Elementary School and the potential loss of open park fields.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to School, fields, and electricity topics at a year-end Manassas meeting Read more
Schools

Architects to present ‘more options’ for Dean School, ‘taking field space into greater account’

By Uriah Kiser

The Manassas School Board will hear a revised proposal for a new Dean Elementary School on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Architects to present ‘more options’ for Dean School, ‘taking field space into greater account’ Read more
News

Dean Park, proposed school focus of Manassas councilwoman’s year-end event

By Uriah Kiser
Coates Ellis

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis: “After the new Dean School construction plan was presented by the Manassas City School Board to the Manassas City Council last Thursday, I planned a Year End Wrap-Up for this upcoming [Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, 5:30 p.m., City Tavern, 9550 Center Street, Manassas], and have invited the public to hear more details and welcome questions.”

“The original plan “A” would be to build the new Dean behind the existing Dean and leave all athletic fields and track in place and available for the Dean Sports Complex. Plan “E” was recommended by the School Board. This plan would eliminate the track, a rectangle field, and a diamond and possibly a second diamond.”

Go to Dean Park, proposed school focus of Manassas councilwoman’s year-end event Read more
View More Stories