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.”

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 nation’s most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, Rania has earned her place among the country’s top young scientific minds.

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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.

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The Prince William County School Board will cast its final vote on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget during its meeting on Wednesday, March 19. The budget, which includes significant investments in teacher salaries, student programs, and school security, was reviewed during a work session on March 12.

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.

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The Prince William County School Board is facing intense scrutiny following a series of contentious meetings that have sparked debates over decorum, LGBTQ+ policies, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

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.

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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 doesn’t 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.

Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large Dr. Babur Lateef is speaking out against efforts to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).

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 division’s DEI office. His remarks were met with a standing ovation.

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The February 19, 2025, Prince William County School Board meeting devolved into a shouting match between board members Loree Williams of Woodbridge and Erica Tredinnick of Brentsville. Williams refused to acknowledge Tredinnick as a black woman as part of her Black History Month statement.

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, “Guess [Tredinnick] isn’t ‘Black enough’ in [Williams’] mind. This is the left’s identity politics at work: it’s not about representation, it’s about control.”

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Four female athletes from Prince William County were among those who attended the February 5, 2025, signing ceremony, where President Trump issued an executive order barring transgender athletes from participating in women's sports.

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, women’s sports will only be for women."

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A debate over financial transparency and fiscal responsibility erupted during the Prince William Board of County Supervisors’ meeting as members weighed the transfer of $31.6 million to Prince William County Schools (PWCS). The funds, representing the school division’s share of the Fiscal Year 2024 general revenue surplus, were allocated under the county’s long-standing revenue-sharing agreement.

While the measure ultimately passed, some supervisors raised concerns that the county’s revenue-sharing model does not adequately oversee how the school system spends taxpayer money.

Revenue-Sharing Model Sparks Concern

The funding transfer stems from a 1998 agreement automatically allocating a percentage of surplus general revenues—57.23% to PWCS and 42.77% to the county. This year’s surplus totaled $68.7 million, with $13.38 million set aside to maintain the county’s unassigned fund balance in compliance with the Principles of Sound Financial Management. After adjustments, the schools’ net share came to $31.6 million.

However, some supervisors have an issue with the automatic nature of the transfer. Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability in the county’s school funding model.

“We fully funded the school division at the beginning of the year, and now we’re approving another massive transfer of funds,” Weir said. “This is yet another indictment of why the revenue-sharing model doesn’t work. We don’t know where the money is going, and we’re just handing out a blank check.”

Other supervisors echoed similar concerns, questioning whether the county should demand more detailed financial reporting from the school division before approving additional appropriations.

Supervisors Defend Funding as Essential Investment

Not all board members agreed that changes to the funding structure are necessary. Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large, defended the current model, arguing that education funding is a critical investment in the county’s future.

“Schools are what make people want to live here. They are what drive businesses to come here,” Jefferson said, emphasizing that fully funding the school division is crucial to maintaining a strong education system.

Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye added that while fiscal oversight is essential, withholding necessary school funding could have unintended consequences.

“We need to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need, while also working towards more transparency in the future,” Boddye said.

Timing of Budget Appropriations Questioned

One key concern was why the school division waited until this point in the fiscal year to request the funds.

School officials explained that they must wait until the completion of an external audit finalized in December 2024 before confirming the surplus amount. The audit process ensures that the financials are accurate and aligned with county finance department standards before allocating funds.

“We work closely with the county finance department to ensure all financials are verified before bringing them forward,” a PWCS representative explained.

Despite the concerns, the funding transfer ultimately passed in a 6-1 vote, with Supervisor Yesli Vega voting against it and Supervisor Weir abstaining.

The debate over the county’s revenue-sharing model is expected to resurface ahead of the next budget cycle, with some supervisors calling for more detailed tracking of school expenditures and earlier financial planning.