Encouraging data in Prince William County Public Schools highlights improvements in chronic absenteeism and elementary school reading grades.
Chronic absenteeism is still a concern for students in 11th and 12th grades but has improved in other grade levels. The news led Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Latayna McDade to acknowledge the improvement. However, she noted the school division still has a long way to go to improve. The school division sent letters to parents encouraging them to send their children to school.
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Insidenova.com: “Nate Murphy has resigned as Hylton’s head football coach. Hylton was 4-3 in his first season followed by records of 3-7, 0-10 and 3-7.”d in 1991.”
“The 2006 Gar-Field High School graduate also felt like he had lost support of the Hylton football community after running for the Democratic nomination to represent Prince William County’s Neabsco District on the county’s board of supervisors. In June, Murphy lost to incumbent Victor Angry by 104 votes in the primary.”
Prince William police: “Malicious Wounding on School Grounds – “On December 6 at 7:41 a.m., the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Patriot High School located at 10504 Kettle Run Road in Nokesville was notified of a fight.”
“The investigation revealed a physical altercation began between the victim, a 14-year-old male juvenile, and another student, identified as 17-year-old male juvenile, in the common area of the building just prior to the start of the school day. At one point, two other students interjected in the altercation and repeatedly struck and kicked the victim, knocking him to the ground where he temporarily lost consciousness. The accused students continued to strike and kick the victim until the parties were separated.”
The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Following the investigation, all three assailants were charged. Charged on December 6: [Juveniles] A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old male juvenile of Manassas. Both were charged with malicious wounding and assault by mob.”
“Court Date: Pending | Status: Charged/Petitions Obtained. A 17-year-old male juvenile of Manassas. Charged with assault & battery and assault by mob. Court Date: Pending | Status: Charged/Petitions Obtained.”
Senator Mark Warner’s office: “Today, Sen. Warner welcomed kindergarteners from Bel Air Elementary School in [Dale City] to his Capitol Hill office to kick off the holiday season with carols, milk and cookies, and decoration of the office Christmas tree. This year’s tree, a 12-foot Fraser fir, is from Mt. Rogers Tree Farm in Grayson County, Va.”
“Students helped Sen. Warner decorate his tree with handmade ornaments while serenading members of his staff with classic carols such as “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
“Sen. Warner has hosted students from across the Commonwealth to help him get in the holiday spirit nearly every year since taking office in 2009.”
Insidenova.com: “Just as they have done in nearly every game for the past two seasons, the Freedom Eagles soared high above their opponent—this time one of the best team’s in Class 6 in the Madison Warhawks.”
“Unleashing one of their most complete games of the season en route to their 28th consecutive victory, Freedom defeated Madison 55-14 Saturday afternoon in the state semifinals.”
Prince William County Public Schools: “After eight months of negotiations as part of the collective bargaining process with the Prince William Education Association (PWEA), a three-year collective bargaining agreement on benefits and terms and conditions of employment was tentatively agreed upon by the School Board’s and PWEA’s bargaining teams. PWCS is hopeful that this agreement will be ratified by the employees in each bargaining unit.”
“The division proposed a contract including a nearly $70 million salary and benefit package of approximately $64 million in increased salary and more than $5 million increase in other wages and benefits. PWEA negotiators did not reach an agreement on the wage proposal before the December 1 deadline.”
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with PWEA on significant benefits that will continue to ensure we are the best place to work,” said Prince William County School Board Chairman At-Large, Dr. Babur Lateef. “We are disappointed that we could not reach an agreement on wages. The School Board and administration are committed to ensuring competitive wages for our employees even without an agreement.”
“The School Board’s bargaining team made an aggressive proposal on wages that would have provided tremendous benefits for employees while maintaining fiscal responsibility. However, an agreement on wages was not reached with PWEA. The PWCS $64 million wage proposal includes the following terms that were not approved by the PWEA:
- A 6 percent average salary increase (in addition to the 2 percent salary increase to be provided to employees beginning in January 2024).
- A maximum 9 percent salary increase for certified staff with 12-18 years of experience as of June 30, 2024, to ensure those employees’ salaries are competitive with peer school divisions.
- For classified employees, an expansion of the salary scale from 2.89 percent to 3 percent between steps, bringing pay equity between the classified and certified pay scales.
The parties tentatively agreed to the following, pending ratification by the School Board, and ratification by employees:
- Paying teachers who teach summer school and extended school year their hourly rates.
- A new short-term disability benefit that covers employees after the first 30 days of employment at no cost to the employee.
- Continuing to pay the same proportional share of any health care premium increases.
- Increased pay for teachers who teach an extra class during the workday.
Increasing supplements teachers receive for extracurricular duties, including the addition of supplements for middle school band assistants, choral directors, choral assistants, and orchestra and drama teachers, and elementary music teachers.
“Our employees are critical as we work together with our parents and community members to launch thriving futures for our students,” said Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, Superintendent. “Our bargaining team worked diligently through this process with PWEA in good faith. We will continue our efforts to offer employees competitive salary and benefit packages.”
Lillie Jessie will sit on the Prince William County School Board for a final time on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Jessie did not seek reelection. Her husband, R.M. Jessie, Jr., will replace her after the candidate, endorsed by Democrats, beat GOP-endorsed Ryan Wilson Kirkpatrick by seven points during the General Election on November 7, 2023.
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Prince William County Public Schools: “PWCS celebrates seniors Fernando Cedeño from Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and Nia Epperson from Patriot High School for earning perfect scores on a college-level Advanced Placement® (AP®) exam in May 2023. Fernando was one of only 247 (0.14%), and Nia was one of only 459 (0.28%) of students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP® Spanish Language and Culture and AP® Computer Science Principles (APCSP) exam, respectively.”
Prince William police: “Sexual Assault Investigation on School Grounds – On October 18, detectives began an investigation into a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at Gar-Field Senior High School located at 14000 Smoketown Rd. in Woodbridge (22193) earlier that day. The investigation revealed the victim, a female student who is under the age of 18, and another student, identified as the accused, were in a restroom together when the accused sexually assaulted the victim.
“The parties eventually separated, and the victim reported the incident to a family member who contacted the police. On November 27, following the investigation, the accused, identified as Lamine MELLOUK, was charged.”
Charged on November 27: [No Photo Available]
- Lamine MELLOUK, 18, of 11583 Overleigh Dr. in Woodbridge
- Charged with misdemeanor sexual battery
- Court Date: Pending | Status: Released on a Court Summons
