PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A long-delayed and now dramatically scaled-down high school project will take center stage at Wednesday night’s Prince William County School Board meeting, as division officials present updated plans for the county’s 14th high school.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on June 4, 2025, at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Road in Independent Hill.

A Smaller School, Coming Later

Once designed to hold 2,557 students, the high school has been reduced to a 1,400-seat facility, according to the school division’s FY2025–29 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Its expected opening has also been delayed from School Year 2027–28 to 2029–30.

Originally envisioned as a relief valve for overcrowded high schools like Freedom, Gar-Field, and Woodbridge, the school — planned for Summit School Road in the Occoquan Magisterial District — may now fall short of easing that pressure. Officials cited budget constraints and market volatility in construction costs as reasons for the change, noting the price tag still exceeds $189 million.

Community Input Shapes Vision

Despite its smaller size, school leaders say the new high school will be shaped by robust community engagement. From March to May 2025, Prince William County Public Schools hosted workshops and listening sessions with students, parents, educators, and local industry partners.

Key input sessions included:

• A VALUES Workshop on sustainability and user experience
• An Applied Learning Workshop on career and technical education
• A Photovoice Project where students shared their lived experiences through photography
• A Learning Futures Workshop imagining a future school day
• One-on-one interviews with School Board members

Across all sessions, participants expressed a desire for hands-on learning, flexible and inclusive spaces, mental health support, and strong connections to community and careers. Design preferences included natural light, quiet study areas, and comfortable, open environments.

“This is not just about building a school — it’s about building a place where students feel they belong, where they are seen, challenged, and supported,” said one participant during the Photovoice session.

Top priorities included CTE programs in health sciences, advanced manufacturing, IT, architecture and construction, and even social media/influencing. Internships and externships with local businesses were also emphasized.

What to Expect Wednesday Night

School division leaders are expected to explain how these community-driven ideas will be incorporated into the 1,400-seat school design. The presentation may also address how the reduced size will impact school boundaries and enrollment projections, with high school enrollment forecasted to rise by 153 students in 2024.

According to the CIP, construction is slated to begin in January 2027, with substantial completion expected by May 2029. A full design plan and updated construction timeline are expected during the meeting.

The public is invited to attend or watch the meeting online. Those wishing to speak during Citizens’ Comment Time must sign up before the meeting begins.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Covington-Harper Elementary School marked a special milestone this spring as its very first students returned—this time as high school seniors.

The school, which opened in 2017, welcomed back its original group of students for a celebratory “senior walk.” The event, shared by Prince William County Public Schools on Facebook, gave graduating 12th graders a chance to visit their former elementary teachers and inspire younger students.

Located at 2500 River Heritage Boulevard near Dumfries, Covington-Harper was established to serve the area’s growing population. Since then, it has faced overcrowding. As of 2024, the school was operating at 124% capacity, with 988 students enrolled in a building designed for 796. Eight trailers have been added to accommodate the overflow.

To help ease the strain, two new elementary schools are planned in Prince William County. One near Marumsco Plaza is expected to open in the 2026–27 school year, with another in Potomac Shores following in 2027–28.

Photos: Prince William County Public Schools

Updated at 4 p.m.

MANASSAS, Va. – The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is calling for stronger financial controls at the Prince William Education Association (PWEA) following a sharp drop in the local union’s cash reserves—from $1.4 million to just $63,000 in two years.

A letter from VEA President Carol Bauer, shared anonymously with Potomac Local News, outlines concerns from a recent internal review. The report shows PWEA is spending $53,000 more each month than it brings in and has accumulated $692,000 in credit card charges over a 20-month period.

“At current rates, PWEA might not be able to meet its financial obligations by the end of 2025, jeopardizing effective member representation,” Bauer wrote.

Despite the financial concerns, VEA has not taken control of the local union. Instead, it’s pushing a corrective action plan that includes a VEA-funded audit, new spending limits, and tighter restrictions on investment account withdrawals.

A VEA spokesperson confirmed the organization’s involvement in a statement to Potomac Local News:

“The Virginia Education Association confirms that we have communicated with Prince William Education Association leadership and members regarding financial oversight matters… VEA remains committed to supporting PWEA members and the important work they do on behalf of educators and students in Prince William County.”

As of this report, PWEA has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Gainesville District School Board Member Jennifer Wall told Potomac Local News she’s troubled by the situation and believes union members deserve transparency and accountability.

“While I do not independently have knowledge on the issue, and know only what has been relayed publicly through VEA’s communications, these allegations, if true, cause me great concern as a member of the PWCS School Board,” Wall said. “Our thousands of employees have a right to know how the PWEA is using their hard-earned dollars. If there is any fraud, waste or abuse by the PWEA, our PWCS employees not only have a right to know about it, but they have a right to hold their union leadership accountable. If the investigation shows that there has been any fraud, waste or abuse of employee funds, I encourage members to take action.”

Wall has consistently voiced concerns about collective bargaining and the PWEA’s leadership.

“It’s no secret that I’ve been a vocal critic of collective bargaining in general, and the PWEA’s approach in particular,” she added. “I’m on the record time and again, consistently expressing my concerns about the PWEA’s leadership, for precisely these types of concerns that VEA has raised with regard to fiduciary and financial responsibilities.”

Big Win, But Ongoing Tensions

The financial concerns come just months after PWEA and Prince William County Public Schools finalized a landmark collective bargaining agreement. Approved in January and celebrated in May, the deal expanded bereavement and parental leave, improved support for teachers changing grade levels, and continued the push for better compensation.

“When our educators have adequate employee benefits, they can devote their time and energy to their students and families,” said PWEA President Maggie Hansford in a school division press release.

But tensions between VEA and PWEA have lingered. In May 2024, then-VEA President James Fedderman launched a formal probe into PWEA’s finances and governance. Hansford fired back in a mass email to members, calling the move “an attempt to control and defame our union.”

Fedderman’s term ended in July 2024. Bauer, his successor, is now leading the oversight effort.

Hansford became PWEA President in 2020 and led the union through a VEA-imposed trusteeship in 2021 following previous financial and workplace concerns. Since then, two efforts to recall her leadership have failed.

Potomac Local News will continue to follow this developing story.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – As the Class of 2025 prepares to celebrate graduation, Prince William County’s School Board is expected to approve three major policy updates affecting religious expression, patriotic observances, and grading practices. The measures are on the consent agenda for the board’s meeting on Wednesday, May 21, and are likely to pass without discussion.

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RICHMOND, Va. – Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students have once again claimed top honors at the 47th Annual Model Judiciary Program Supreme Court Round, marking their third consecutive victory at the state level.

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MANASSAS, Va. – Hundreds gathered last night at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas to honor nearly 300 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) employees who are retiring this year.

According to PWCS, 278 educators, administrators, and support staff were recognized during the ceremony for their years of dedication to students across the county. The honorees included those who officially submitted retirement notices between April 2024 and April 2025.

“These employees have spent their careers creating safe spaces for students to learn and grow,” the division stated in an announcement. “Their impact on our schools and community will be felt for years to come.”

The full list of 2025 retirees is available on the PWCS website.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Former Prince William County School Board member Diane Raulston, who represented the Neabsco District from 2016 to 2023, passed away on April 24, 2025. First elected in 2015, Raulston served two terms.

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – For the final time in the fiscal year 2026 budget season, the Prince William Board of Supervisors debated the merits of the revenue-sharing agreement (RSA) it has with Prince William County Schools (PWCS), again.

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Press release:

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024-25 Outstanding Educator Awards. These exceptional employees have demonstrated a profound commitment to the success and well-being of our educational community. This year, PWCS recognized finalists in the categories of Support Employee, Novice Teacher, Teacher, and Principal of the Year.

Each winner received a $1,500 award, sponsored by PWCS business partner, Apple Federal Credit Union.

Congratulations to these exemplary employees.

• Support Employee of the Year, Connor Sadler, administrative assistant at Potomac High School.
• Novice Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Destiny Fauntleroy, Sinclair Elementary School.
• Novice Teacher of the Year for grades 6-12, Sara Antillon, Gainesville High School.
• Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Kristen Hao, Westridge Elementary School.
• Teacher of the Year for grades 6-12, Kelly Wasson, Independence Nontraditional School.
• Principal of the Year for grades Pre-K-5, Heather Goode, Sinclair Elementary School.
• Principal of the Year for grades 6-12, Amanda Johnson, The Nokesville School.

Also honored at the ceremony were the educators who received or renewed their National Board Certification.

Congratulations to all our winners, finalists, and nominees for being outstanding role models to PWCS students and staff. Your dedication and commitment have not only been recognized but have also played a crucial role in helping our students thrive.

This post has been corrected. 

Two new elementary schools that could help ease overcrowding in Prince William County won’t open until at least 2026 and 2027, respectively, school officials say.

The Woodbridge Area Elementary School, located across from Marumsco Plaza along Route 1, is now slated to open for the 2026-27 school year, following a series of delays. The civil plan approval process with Prince William County took six extra months due to floodplain considerations.

Additionally, crews discovered an underground sanitary line beneath the building site, which required careful re-routing 20 feet underground. The delay also forced engineers to revise the shared entrance with neighboring Fred Lynn Middle School, adding more work that must now be completed over the summer.

Further south near Dumfries, a second elementary school inside Potomac Shores, originally expected to open in 2021-22, is now delayed until 2027-28, according to Prince William County Public Schools. Land acquisition issues and site suitability concerns delayed permitting and construction for the school, which was first identified in the school division’s capital plan nearly a decade ago. The school’s planned capacity has increased from 721 to 1,050 students, making it the largest elementary school in the county when it opens.

Covington-Harper: Crowded Now, With More Growth Coming

Until then, families in the Potomac District must contend with overcrowded classrooms at Covington-Harper Elementary School, located near Dumfries. School Board representative Justin Wilk, who represents the area, says the school is well over its intended capacity — a situation he’s been warning about for years.

According to 2024 figures, Covington-Harper has a program capacity of 796 students, but is currently serving 988 students. With an average of 25 students per class, that’s the equivalent of nearly 40 classrooms — far more than the school was designed to handle.

To keep up, the school is relying heavily on trailers — known officially as modular or portable classrooms — and may need as many as 15 trailers by the 2026–27 school year if enrollment continues to rise and the new school remains unopened.

“We’re looking at a point of being over 130+% capacity… that essentially means there will be 15 trailers at Covington-Harper,” said Wilk in a recent interview with Potomac Local News.

While the school maintains strong test scores and a dedicated staff, the lack of available indoor space has already forced staff to convert resource rooms, computer labs, and other spaces into standard classrooms. “They even had a TED Talk room when it opened,” said Wilk. “Now, everything is filled.”

Boundary Change Blocked

Wilk attempted to propose a temporary boundary change in late 2024 to provide relief, but the School Board voted it down in a 5-3 vote, citing concerns that similar changes might be demanded across the county. Wilk said he needed only five votes to move forward with a directive that would instruct staff to present redistricting options for discussion.

“Unless people are pushing hard and really advocating for this, it’s going to be tough,” Wilk said. “I need the support… and I need to galvanize the community.”

School officials estimate that if the School Board acted now, boundary changes could take effect in the 2026–27 school year. However, the division warns that any temporary change might be reversed again in 2027–28, when the Potomac Shores school finally opens, resulting in back-to-back school changes for students.

In the meantime, Wilk says he’s requested a full briefing from PWCS staff on safety and logistics: how the school system plans to manage food service, security, and encore classes like art and music for a second school population housed in trailers.

“It’s almost like you’re going to have another school or a campus,” Wilk said. “How is this going to impact lunch? Are we going to have to hire another set of teachers just for the trailer community?”

PWCS spokeswoman Megan Silas confirmed that while boundary changes are still possible, any process would take a minimum of four months and depend on how many students are affected.

As Covington-Harper’s enrollment continues to grow and trailer counts rise, Wilk said he hopes more parents will show up to School Board meetings and speak out.

“It takes more than just liking a Facebook post to get people out,” Wilk said. “Time is running out.”