Two new elementary schools that could help ease overcrowding in Prince William County wonât 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.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School senior Rania Lateef is no stranger to hard work and high achievement. As one of just 40 national finalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nationâs most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, Rania has earned her place among the countryâs top young scientific minds.
Rania, who also attends the Governor’s School at Innovation Park in Prince William County, was recognized for her research on the effects of disrupted sleep and circadian rhythmsâparticularly blue light exposureâon mental and physical health outcomes. She presented her project in Washington, D.C., to renowned scientists during a weeklong competition, earning $27,000 and competing for awards totaling $1.8 million.
âMy research journey started with Mrs. Brown at Colgan High School and culminated with Dr. P at the Governor’s School,â said Rania. âIâm truly grateful for their unwavering support and guidance.â
She also credited the opportunities offered by Prince William County Public Schoolsâlike science fairs and the Virginia Junior Academy of Scienceâfor preparing her for success.
âI would have never been exposed to this if it wasn’t for all these opportunities,â Rania told the School Board on March 19. âThank you for helping students like me reach this level.â
School leaders recognized her academic excellence and passion for science as part of the school divisionâs Thriving Futures Focus, a spotlight on students making outstanding contributions at the state and national levels.
âThis is my daughter,â School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef said during the meeting. âI think she pointed out very well that the school division is really committed to science and opportunities for our students across all STEM categories, and we’ve spent a lot of time and energy on that. And I think for parents and students alike, we are very grateful for the commitment the school division has… I think it just leads to just great success for students everywhere, so we’re very grateful, so thank you.â
Raniaâs mentors, including AP Biology teacher Stephanie Brown and school counselor Lisa Sharp, joined her for the recognition.
Looking ahead, Rania says she plans to pursue further research in science and medicineâfields where sheâs already making a name for herself.
Editorâs Note: Rania Lateef is the daughter of Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large Dr. Babur Lateef.
A routine agreement for using school buses by Prince William County government agencies was anything but routine Tuesday, as the Board of County Supervisors raised sharp concerns over dramatic cost increases and deferred the decision for further negotiations.
The board voted 5-2 to defer action on the agreement until April 8, after supervisors questioned a 72% hike in hourly rates and a 66% jump in mileage fees proposed by Prince William County Public Schools.
The agreement would allow county departmentsâprimarily Parks and Recreationâto use PWCS buses and drivers for programs such as summer camps and events like the Neabsco Boardwalk Holiday Walk of Lights. The proposed rate change would increase the hourly rate from $32 to $55 and the mileage fee from $1.50 to $2.50. A new clause would also require the county to provide insurance for the use of school busesâanother point that drew criticism.
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.
The proposed budget outlines a 6.8% to 7.4% pay increase for teachers and administrators, marking the latest in a series of salary raises over the past five years. Additionally, the budget benefits from a $24 million increase in state funding, primarily directed toward special education programs and the elimination of a prior support cap.
Key Investments in the FY 2026 Budget
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.
At the center of the controversy is School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, who has called for professionalism among board members after a February 19, 2025, altercation between board members Lorree Williams (Woodbridge District) and Erika Tredinnick (Brentsville District) over racial identity.
Meanwhile, the March 5, 2025, meeting became a battleground over LGBTQ+ rights and DEI programs, with community members voicing strong opinions on both sides.
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.
The discussion over school security in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is intensifying as parents and advocacy groups push for armed security personnel in elementary schools, particularly in overcrowded schools like Covington-Harper Elementary School near Dumfries.
The debate comes after the recent installation of Evolv security scanners in middle and high schools, raising questions about whether elementary schools need enhanced security measures.
At the February 19, 2025, PWCS School Board meeting, speakers urged the board to consider adding School Resource Officers (SROs) to elementary schools, arguing that younger students are especially vulnerable in the event of a security threat.
Advocacy for Armed Security in Elementary Schools
Jen Donnelly, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, spoke in favor of armed security personnel for elementary schools, explicitly citing security concerns at Covington Harbor, where hundreds of students walk between trailers used as classrooms due to overcrowding.
"I know that we have roving security guards who make regular stops at all of our elementary schools, but in my opinion, this doesnât go far enough," Donnelly told the school board. "At a minimum, I urge that you find funds in the budget to ensure these children are safeguarded by SROs at each location".
Donnelly also emphasized the importance of securing funding for school security enhancements, warning that federal funding for PWCS could be at risk due to other policy decisions. She argued that prioritizing school safety is essential, even if budget constraints make it difficult.
Concerns About Over-Policing and Budget Constraints
While some parents support armed security officers in elementary schools, others and some school board members question whether this approach is necessary or practical.
School Board Member Loree Y. Williams (Woodbridge District) raised concerns about balancing security improvements with maintaining a welcoming school environment.
"We have taken major steps forward with Evolv security scanners in middle and high schools, ensuring our students are safer," Williams said. "But the question is whether armed officers in elementary schools will actually improve safety outcomes or if we should focus on expanding mental health and early intervention programs".
Evolv Scanners: A Step Forward in School Security?
On school campuses, Prince William County PWCS reported a significant decrease in non-firearm weapons, such as knives and brass knuckles. Over the last school year, these incidents dropped by 72%. Notably, since the implementation of the Evolv system, PWCS has not reported a single firearm on any campus.
The Evolv weapons detection system, approved by the school board in May 2023, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to detect weapons and other threats. Unlike traditional metal detectors, the system allows students to walk through in groups without stopping, reducing wait times and minimizing disruptions. While the system has been successfully deployed in middle, high, and nontraditional schools, it has not been implemented in elementary schools, leading to concerns about the lack of similar security measures for younger students. The school board has not yet formally proposed introducing armed security officers in elementary schools. However, the topic is expected to be discussed further in upcoming budget meetings as board members consider funding priorities and community concerns. The next school board meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2025.
Lateef addressed attendees at a town hall meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2024, at Battlefield High School near Haymarket, vowing to resist federal pressure to close the school divisionâs DEI office. His remarks were met with a standing ovation.
âTomorrow, [President Trump] has said that any school division that doesnât close their DEI office, weâll cut federal funding. Well folks, tomorrow we will proceed as usual and Iâll see him in court. Heâs coming after our immigrant kids. Youâre sitting in the 10th most diverse county in all of America. So when you come after our children on ICE raids, we will see you in court.â
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.
Williams acknowledged the race of other black school board members but purposefully left out Brentsville representative Erica Tredinnick, a black Republican. Her efforts had the unintended consequence of displaying why identity politics is so divisive. Prince William GOP posted on X after the meeting, âGuess [Tredinnick] isnât âBlack enoughâ in [Williamsâ] mind. This is the leftâs identity politics at work: itâs not about representation, itâs about control.â
Williams touted the divisionâs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts over the years, and vowed to push a DEI agenda within the school system. Her words come as the U.S. Department of Education has ordered an end to DEI practices, stating, âpervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination have emanated throughout every facet of academiaâ on February 1, 2025.
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.
The president framed the order as a defense of women's athletics against unfair competition, stating, "Under the Trump administration, we will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and our girls. From now on, womenâs sports will only be for women."
Merianne Jensen and her two daughters, Prince William County Public Schools students, attended the ceremony. Jensen emphasized the importance of the executive order, saying, "Being the mother of two daughters, their safety is the most important thing, and itâs important they are not put in physical danger playing against a male in sports."
