Schools

Opinion

While Students Lag Behind Neighbors, School Board Flies First Class

By Potomac Local News

Fredericksburg City Public Schools face persistent academic challenges. Yet some School Board members appear more focused on premium travel than on closing achievement gaps with neighboring districts. This mismatch in priorities sends the wrong message to taxpayers who are repeatedly asked to fund the system.

Recent reporting by The Fredericksburg Advance has shone a much-needed light on questionable spending. In fiscal year 2025, board members Jarvis Bailey and Malvina Kay accounted for nearly half of the $16,500 professional development and travel budget. Their trips included a Hawaii conference for Bailey and an Atlanta trip for Kay, featuring a first-class plane ticket. Bailey rented a “premium elite” SUV for his drive to Georgia, with costs exceeding federal per diems.

Go to While Students Lag Behind Neighbors, School Board Flies First Class Read more
Prince William

Two Prince William Catholic teachers honored for excellence in the classroom

By Uriah Kiser

Two Catholic school educators from Prince William County were recognized for their teaching excellence during the Catholic Business Network–Prince William Chapter’s annual Catholic Teacher Awards ceremony. The awards were presented on Wednesday, January 21, during a dinner at the Benedictine Monastery in Bristow, according to a press release from the organization.

This year’s honorees were Kathleen Benjamin, a fifth-grade teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School, and Kimberly Hall, an art teacher at Linton Hall School. Both educators were selected based on their impact on student learning, creativity in teaching, leadership and commitment to service. The event brought together educators and local business leaders and was sponsored by CJM Enterprises–Study Smart.

Go to Two Prince William Catholic teachers honored for excellence in the classroom Read more
Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Public Schools to Close Friday Due to Hazardous Weather

By Potomac Local News

“All schools are closed and all activities are cancelled on Friday, December 5, due to the forecast for hazardous weather conditions,” Fredericksburg City Public Schools announced. “Slick icy roads and sidewalks are expected in the area.” “Be safe and have a fun snow day, FCPS.”

The division outlined Code Red procedures, noting that school is closed for students and staff, 12-month employees should not report, and essential workers should contact supervisors about report times.

Go to Fredericksburg City Public Schools to Close Friday Due to Hazardous Weather Read more
Press Release

Prince William County schools to open two hours late on Dec. 5

By Potomac Local News

“Due to the forecast of inclement weather, all Prince William County Public Schools will open two hours late on Friday, December 5, 2025,” Prince William County Public Schools announced.

The delay affects all students and staff division-wide. Morning transportation and school-based operations will follow the modified schedule.

Go to Prince William County schools to open two hours late on Dec. 5 Read more
Neighborhood Notes

Prince William County Public Schools Among Most Popular With Home Shoppers

By Uriah Kiser

Realtor.com: Using views per property from out-of-district home shoppers from May to July 2025, we identified the most popular school districts in each metro. To focus specifically on school-driven home shopping activity, we limited the traffic analysis to properties with at least one nearby school rated 8 or above based on scores from GreatSchools. — More from Realtor.com.

Go to Prince William County Public Schools Among Most Popular With Home Shoppers Read more
Schools

Prince William School Board Splits as Wall, Tredinnick Oppose Majority in Defiance of Federal Order

By Uriah Kiser
The Prince William County School Board 2024 to 2027. Top left to right: Erica Tredinnick, Justin Wilk, Dr. Babur Lateef, Lisa Zarapur, Tracy Blake. Bottom row: Jennifer Wall, Richard Jessie, Loree Williams. [Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

Reactions from Prince William’s eight-member school board show a deep divide—not just over federal law, but over whose rights the policy protects and how the board should have responded.

Two members—Jennifer Wall of the Gainesville District and Erica Tredinnick of the Brentsville District, both Republican-endorsed—spoke out against the board’s overall position to defy the U.S. Department of Education. While the majority of the board supported rejecting the federal resolution, Wall and Tredinnick each argued the board should have taken a different course.

Go to Prince William School Board Splits as Wall, Tredinnick Oppose Majority in Defiance of Federal Order Read more
Schools

New Specialty Center Prepares the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs, Analysts, and Cybersecurity Experts

By Potomac Local News
Stafford schools suggests wellness fair participants bring a canned food donation to benefit those in need through S.E.R.V.E. [Photo: S.E.R.V.E.]

STAFFORD, Va. – The folks at Stafford County Public Schools just told Potomac Local News they’re opening a new Business and IT Center at Colonial Forge High School—and more than 130 students are already signed up.

This specialty program is all about getting teens ready for the jobs of tomorrow, with pathways in Business Administration, Business IT, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Entrepreneurship. Students will learn from industry-recognized curriculum, earn certifications, and tackle real-world projects—all while connecting with local business leaders.

Go to New Specialty Center Prepares the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs, Analysts, and Cybersecurity Experts Read more
Fredericksburg

Early Birds Could Snag Full-Ride Scholarships, UMW says

By Potomac Local News

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The University of Mary Washington is now accepting applications for first-year students hoping to begin classes in Fall 2026—and those who apply early could land some of the school’s top scholarships.

According to a university press release, applications opened August 1 and can be submitted through the Common App or directly at umw.edu/admissions/apply. Early decision (binding) applications are due by November 1, while early action (non-binding) applicants have until November 15. Regular decision applicants have until February 1, 2026. Students who apply early are given priority for scholarships and admission decisions.

Go to Early Birds Could Snag Full-Ride Scholarships, UMW says Read more
Originals

PWEA Shake-Up: Alcohol, Pajama Parties, and Union Infighting — Ousted Board Members Speak Out

By Alan Gloss

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) will hold a formal hearing on August 23, 2025, to determine the future of the Prince William Education Association (PWEA), which it placed under emergency trusteeship in late July.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to PWEA Shake-Up: Alcohol, Pajama Parties, and Union Infighting — Ousted Board Members Speak Out Read more
View More Stories