The pilot funding request was approved unanimously by the MCPS School Board on May 13 and needed to be formally approved by City Council. The Board requested $2 million from its fund balance be used to get the program off the ground.
Council’s approval of this funding went hand-in-hand with its approval of the Board’s purchase of 8700 Centreville Road, where the program would be housed along with the district’s Central Office staff and operations.
As Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) prepare for the first day of school on August 12, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman introduced a group of new administrators who will be stepping into key leadership roles across the division. The announcements, made during the July School Board meeting, reflect a mix of fresh talent and internal advancement designed to strengthen support for students and staff in the year ahead.
New Principal at Round Elementary
MANASSAS, Va. – Families in Manassas may be pleasantly surprised to learn that every student enrolled in Manassas City Public Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch again this school year—but it’s not a new perk.
The school division has been participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) since the 2021–2022 school year, a program that allows schools in low-income areas to serve free meals to all students without collecting household applications. What began during the height of the pandemic has quietly become the new normal for Manassas schools.
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
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.
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.
At the beginning of the budget process in February, the MCPS Board wasn’t able to even fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from City Council and the Commonwealth.
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.
“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.”
The RISE, or the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees, Award is given to support staff who “go above and beyond in their service to students, staff and the broader school community,” an MCPS release stated. Nominees from each MCPS school, central office and the Transportation Department are evaluated in five areas: work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, support from colleagues and community members and enhancement of the public image of classified employees.
