Prince William

“We are beginning the community engagement and planning process associated with the opening of two new elementary schools in eastern Prince William County,” Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) announced. “These schools are intended to serve elementary students and staff and respond to growing enrollment, particularly in the Cherry Hill area.”

“Woodbridge Elementary School is scheduled to open for the 2026-27 school year, and Potomac Shores Elementary School is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year,” the division stated. “No final decisions have been made at this time, and PWCS remains committed to transparency and community engagement throughout the redistricting process.”


Prince William

Prince William County school leaders unveiled the design of the division’s long-planned 14th high school — a light-filled, environmentally conscious building they say will redefine how students learn and connect.

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Prince William

“Each year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our schools that go above and beyond to foster a culture of support, understanding, and resilience for our military-connected students,” shared Kimberly Simpson, PWCS military achievement specialist, as Prince William County Public Schools announced the recognition of 18 schools as 2025 Virginia Purple Star schools. “The Purple Star designation is a powerful acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts that ensure every student, regardless of background or mobility, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

The Virginia Department of Education recognized 18 PWCS schools—including four first-time honorees and 14 renewals—for their continued support of military-connected students. With this recognition, 51 PWCS schools now hold the Purple Star Designation, representing 53% of the division’s total schools.


Opinion

I was proud to be part of PWEA under its previous leadership — a team of board members and reps who genuinely cared about educators and worked tirelessly for members, not for show. They listened, they answered, and they put people first. What we have now under VEA control couldn’t be more different.

This trusteeship has turned into a blatant power and money grab disguised as “rebuilding.” It’s not about supporting educators — it’s about control. The VEA can’t even answer the office phone or respond to emails, yet somehow finds time to cash our dues checks. That’s not leadership — that’s greed.


Prince William

The joint meeting, which took place on Oct. 8, came only one week after the federal government shut down. The shutdown went into effect on Oct. 1 when the Senate could not pass the spending bill; many Democrats have cited healthcare funding as their primary reason for opposing the bill.

And while government services have begun to slow or cease altogether, thousands in the DMV region are being impacted. Around 30,500 federal workers lived in Prince William County in February according to a county presentation. It’s unknown how estimates have and will change due to the Trump administration’s cuts to federal agencies.


Politics

A Prince William County Republican leader is accusing the school system of applying its political participation rules unevenly after a state lawmaker rode in this year’s Woodbridge Senior High School homecoming parade.

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Prince William

Tracy Blake (Facebook) – “No matter what’s happening around us, the mission stays the same: make sure every student has the support, opportunities, and encouragement to thrive — in school and in life,” Blake wrote on Facebook.

This is Blake’s first public statement since the Prince William County School Board voted to censure him on October 18, 2025.


Breaking News

School Board Censures Vice Chair Tracy Blake After October 1 Confrontation with Tredinnick

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Prince William

The Prince William Education Association’s (PWEA) new budget shows that nearly half of all projected spending will go toward governance, officer compensation, and benefits — as the organization remains under the control of the Virginia Education Association (VEA).

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Prince William

Prince William County School Board member Erica Tredennick says Prince William County Public Schools denied her request to bring a personal security aide to a recent division event following her confrontation with Vice Chair Tracy Blake on October 1, 2025.

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