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.”

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.

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."

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.

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.

Osbourn Park High School has received the Virginia School Breakfast Award from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for its success in expanding breakfast access, maintaining nutritional integrity, and serving more scratch-cooked meals. The school is one of three recipients this year.

Cafeteria manager Nidia Bruno expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the team’s dedication to feeding students. Andrea Early, director of Food and Nutrition, noted that breakfast participation at Osbourn Park has increased by 30% and praised the cafeteria team for efficiently managing the expanded program. The school benefits from the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students.

PWCS has seen a district-wide increase of 2,000 more breakfasts served per day compared to last year. The menu includes hot and cold options, along with seasonal smoothies for middle and high school students. VDOE officials will visit Osbourn Park during School Breakfast Week in March to present the award.

More in a press release:

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) awarded Osbourn Park High School with the Virginia School Breakfast Award. This award recognizes schools achieving success in school breakfast, including expanding breakfast access to students, maintaining the nutritional integrity of foods offered, and serving more scratch-cooked foods. Osbourn Park High was one of three recipients this year.

Nidia Bruno, cafeteria manager at Osbourn Park, shared her excitement surrounding the award. “I feel so thankful and so happy for my team. We all work so hard and being recognized like this keeps us going,” Bruno shared. “At the end of the day, the most important thing for us is to feed our kids at Osbourn Park. We have a good family here.”

Andrea Early, director of Food and Nutrition, said Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is serving more breakfasts per day compared to last year with Osbourn Park seeing an increase in breakfast participation by about 30%.

“All of our schools in PWCS do such a fabulous job with breakfast service. We are serving about 2,000 more breakfasts per day this year compared to last year,” Early said.

She commended the Osbourn Park cafeteria team for ensuring a smooth breakfast process for students.

“Nidia and her team have really responded to this school being added to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program,” Early shared. “CEP means that all students receive free breakfast and lunch but if they have to wait in long lines, they may not access breakfast. This team has worked hard to open extra breakfast lines so that they can get kids the good nutrition they need.”

Along with expanding the breakfast program, PWCS school breakfast menus offer a wide range of choices such as hot and cold food options and a seasonal smoothie for middle and high school students.

Members of the VDOE plan to visit Osbourn Park to present the award during School Breakfast Week, which is held the first week of March.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade will present her proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the county school board on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The meeting, open to the public and streamed live on YouTube, will begin at 7 p.m.

A significant component of this year’s budget is a $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), aiming to address overcrowding, modernize aging facilities, and support long-term student enrollment shifts.

Major Investments in New Schools and Renovations

The CIP includes multiple new school construction projects, such as:

• Occoquan Replacement School (December 2025) – Will add 226 seats and offer specialized programs for students with special education and autism support needs.
• Woodbridge Area Elementary School (2026-2027) – Will serve approximately 632 students in the Cardinal and Neabsco Mills Districts, where overcrowding is a pressing concern.
• Potomac Shores Elementary School #2 (2027-2028) – Planned capacity increased from 750 to 1,050 seats to accommodate rapid growth in the Potomac Shores area.
• 14th High School (2029-2030) – Will serve 1,400 students and provide relief for Colgan, Forest Park, and Freedom High Schools. Community engagement sessions starting in February will help determine specialized programs, such as robotics labs, aquatic drone research, and a school-based health clinic.

Additionally, several existing schools will receive major renovations and expansions to improve infrastructure and reduce reliance on portable classrooms. Dale City Elementary School, identified as one of the most outdated facilities, is slated for a comprehensive renovation, including an eight-classroom expansion, mechanical upgrades, and ADA compliance improvements. Other significant projects include an expansion at Marsteller Middle School, Fred Lynn Middle School renovations, and county-wide HVAC and LED lighting upgrades.

Sustainability and Modernization Initiatives

PWCS is also investing in sustainability and infrastructure improvements, with over $81 million earmarked for HVAC replacements in 14 schools and nearly $15.5 million allocated for LED lighting upgrades. Additionally, solar panel installations and the construction of artificial turf practice fields at multiple high schools are planned to enhance energy efficiency and equity in athletic facilities.

Historic Wage Agreement

In a related development, PWCS and the Prince William Education Association (PWEA) have reached a historic wage agreement totaling more than $160 million over two years. This agreement underscores the division’s commitment to valuing its employees and offering regionally competitive pay.

Key aspects of the agreement include:

• A two-year wage deal providing an average 7% increase in the first year and an average 6.3% increase in the second year.
• Decompression of the certified wage scale to ensure employees are placed on steps commensurate with their years of experience.
• Significant increases in starting wages for teachers, positioning PWCS as a regional leader in teacher compensation.
• Targeted stipends for specific roles, including IEP case management, dually certified English Language teachers, and Elementary Strings Teachers.
• Doubling the night shift pay differential for classified staff.
• Reclassification of certain classified positions to higher grades to ensure competitive pay.
• Ensuring all PWCS supplements are at or above the median for the regional comparative study.

McDade emphasized, “This wage proposal is a testament to PWCS’s commitment to its strategic plan, ensuring that our employees feel valued and are compensated competitively within the region.”

Comparison to Previous Year’s Budget

The proposed FY 2026 budget builds upon the initiatives outlined in the FY 2025 budget. Last year, the School Board approved a $1.78 billion operating budget that prioritized investments aligned with the PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan. Approximately 80% of expenditures supported the instructional core: students, staff, and curriculum. Notably, employees received an average 6% pay increase, contributing to a cumulative 28.2% increase in average teacher salaries over five years. The budget also allocated funds for 125 new teacher assistants for students with special needs, 23 kindergarten teacher assistants, and 15.5 reading specialists.

Challenges and Community Involvement

Despite its ambitious scope, the CIP faces challenges related to fluctuating student enrollment, redistricting considerations, and rising construction costs due to inflation and potential tariffs on building materials. The school board will evaluate funding options to navigate these hurdles, including bond issuances and proffers from new developments.

Residents will have opportunities to provide feedback during public hearings in February, with the final budget approval expected in March 2025.

Prince William County Schools (PWCS) are embarking on an ambitious $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) aimed at alleviating overcrowding, modernizing aging school facilities, and preparing for future shifts in student enrollment. The plan, presented at the January 15, 2025, school board work session, includes new school constructions, significant renovations, and sustainability-focused upgrades.

Key Projects in the CIP

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

As Prince William County grapples with shifting enrollment patterns, declining birth rates, and increasing school capacity concerns, school leaders are moving forward with plans to open the county’s 14th high school in the 2029-30 school year.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Rania Lateef, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, daughter of Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef,  has been named one of 40 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS).

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Prince William County School Board member Richard Jessie and his wife, former school board member Lillie Jessie, are urging the community to boycott the upcoming presidential inauguration by turning off their televisions at noon on January 20. They believe that lower viewership will send a strong message to the new administration.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Insidenova.com: “Patriot High School Principal Michael Bishop is currently on leave, the school announced Thursday in a message to families.

Prince William County Public Schools did not provide further details upon  InsideNoVa’s request as it is a “personnel matter,” said Director of Communications Diana Gulotta.”