STAFFORD, Va. – The window to become a new teacher in our area is closing, but school divisions are still hiring as the first day of the 2025–26 school year approaches.

In Stafford County, just over 120 licensed staff positions remained open as of late June. Of those, 98 are classroom teaching roles, while the rest include specialists like counselors. “Special education across all grades and elementary positions are our highest-need areas,” said Patrick Byrnett, the division’s Chief Talent Officer.

To fill positions, Stafford has boosted its recruitment efforts this year. The division hosted regular job fairs and information sessions for residents, partnered with Stafford County Government on a joint event, and engaged more deeply with teacher preparation programs across Virginia and nearby states. New hires will attend a week-long “Prep for Success” orientation starting July 28, which combines school-based mentoring with division-wide training in curriculum and instructional practices.

“Stafford remains a great place to live, work, and learn,” said Byrnett. “If you are someone who is a constant learner and cares about children, make Stafford a part of your story.”

In Fredericksburg City Public Schools, 21.5 licensed positions remain open, including general and special education teachers, a reading coach, an instructional coach, a school psychologist, and a speech-language pathologist. Most of the division’s staffing needs are at the elementary level, said Chief Human Resources Officer Sue Keffer.

Local job fairs have been Fredericksburg’s most effective tool for finding candidates. New hires there will attend a four-day “New Staff Academy,” which introduces them to the division’s culture and includes sessions on classroom management, special education, technology, safety, and community partnerships.

Keffer encourages interested educators to reach out. “We are a small, closely knit school community with many supports in place to help our staff be successful,” she said.

School begins in early August for many local divisions. Those interested in applying should check their school division’s website for the latest openings.

STAFFORD, Va. – Thousands of families have now confirmed whether their children will ride the bus next school year, as Stafford County Public Schools continues to implement its new transportation opt-in policy.

As of the end of May 2025, 29,717 students across the division have declared their transportation intentions for the upcoming school year. Of those, 5,640 students have opted out of morning service, and 5,224 have opted out of afternoon service, according to information presented at June 10, 2025 School Board meeting.

The district’s transportation department began routing on June 3, 2025, and route information is scheduled to appear in ParentVUE by July 1. Final route details will be emailed to families on July 29, with drivers receiving their assignments on August 5, followed by practice runs August 7–8. A Transition Day for students is set for August 11.

A Shift Prompted by Crisis

The opt-in system marks a major change in how SCPS manages school bus service—and it’s a direct response to a transportation crisis that unfolded in August 2024, when more than 3,000 students were left without assigned bus service on the eve of the first day of school.

Parents received late-night notifications that their children would not have transportation the following morning, prompting widespread confusion and community outrage. Some students were still without transportation weeks into the school year.

Potomac Local News covered the crisis extensively. At the time, school officials blamed new, untested routing software and staff shortages, while parents criticized the lack of timely communication. Interim Superintendent Chris Fulmer acknowledged that the system had been rolled out too quickly and without adequate preparation.

In March 2025, SCPS announced the move to an opt-in model, requiring families to actively request school bus service. The shift was designed to eliminate unused bus stops and routes, allowing the department to use its resources more efficiently and reliably.

What’s New This Year

The transportation team presented an update to the school board in June, highlighting several changes beyond the opt-in system:

• A new dispatcher will be added to the department starting July 1 to improve route monitoring and communication.
• The district introduced digital request forms (TR-1) for students with disabilities, integrating transportation needs directly into Synergy, the school division’s student information system.
• The MyRide app remains available for parents to track bus locations, although reliability remains a concern in areas with limited cell coverage.

The transportation department also addressed an ongoing concern from drivers: behavior management on the bus. Last school year, more than 1,600 behavior referrals were submitted. Drivers say they are often not informed whether their concerns are addressed by school administrators.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith noted that behavior management should reflect a student’s actions across all environments—classrooms, lunchrooms, and buses—and emphasized the importance of a feedback loop so drivers know their reports are taken seriously.

Parents who fail to opt in or change their minds must now go through their school registrar to request transportation. If a student does not ride the bus for 10 consecutive school days, they will be removed from the manifest (though the stop remains). Re-entry could take up to 10 business days.

Stafford County Public Schools is moving ahead with plans to eliminate artificial food dyes from school meals, following the signing of a new state law that will ban certain synthetic color additives by 2027.

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently signed HB 1910 and SB 1289, legislation that “prohibit[s] public elementary and secondary schools from serving any food that contains specific color additives for school meals or competitive food.”

“I’m encouraged by this truly non-partisan effort that started with Parents stepping forward and saying let’s work together to provide healthier food choices for our kids during the school day,” Youngkin said. “HB1910 and SB1289 are grassroots bills at their best and provide Virginia families with healthier options for school meals.”

HB910 had patrons included Republican Delegates Paul Milde (Stafford), Ian Lovejoy (Prince William), and Robert Orrock and Phillip Scott (Spotsylvania). SB1289’s patrons included Senators Tara Durant (R – Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford) and Danica Roem (D – City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, Prince William County).

Durant recently visited Stafford’s Grafton Village Elementary School to speak with 5th-grade students on Career Day, which she has done for several years. She shared the bill with the students, who will be rising 8th-graders when the ban goes into effect. Durant said the fifth graders were surprised to see the number of ingredients in some of their favorite snacks, and asked questions about how manufacturers might change products to comply with the ban. Durant is seeing a shift towards healthier diets and lifestyles with the young adult generation, particularly as a mother of twenty-year-olds. She said they choose more holistic foods and lifestyle choices, avoiding processed foods, dyes, alcohol and smoking.

In Stafford, school nutrition staff have already begun preparations to comply with the law.

“We are working closely with our food vendors to remove and replace foods with the banned dyes,” said Brian Williams, Executive Director of Nutrition Services for Stafford County Public Schools. “Nutrition is in the process of updating product specifications in anticipation of the law,” he added, saying the nutrition services team is “currently working with our food manufacturers to identify and strategically replace food products containing the banned dyes going into the new school year.”

Williams confirmed that some products have already been removed: “In this school year, we found and removed several snacks that contained the Red Dye #3 and we are now in the process of conducting an in depth review of the new school year food specification list.”

New products are also being introduced: “Students will see more snack items produced without banned dyes as Frito Lay and other manufacturers have already begun to make their products compliant to the upcoming laws.” Dye-free Doritos were recently offered at elementary schools for “Walking Tacos,” a dish where chips are served with taco fixings.

Williams said the county had not received any feedback from students.

He also addressed broader efforts to reduce dyes through fresher menu items. “Stafford County Public Schools Nutrition Services has made tremendous strides in reducing highly processed entrees while increasing fresh, whole, and scratch cooked meals,” Williams said. “By offering more scratch prepared dishes, the department is able to reduce and eliminate the occurrences of many of these banned dyes from the student lunch menu.”

There are no current financial concerns or funding efforts tied to the transition. “No, not at this point,” Williams said when asked if there were financial obstacles. On the topic of funding, he added, “No,” the district has not received or applied for any.

Williams said the district plans to keep families informed. “Nutrition Services will work with the division’s communication department to best target our banned dye communications with families.”

California passed a ban on six artificial food dyes in school foods in September 2024, effective in December 2027. West Virginia passed a ban on seven artifical food dyes in January 2025, effective August 2025; the state will have a retail ban beginning in January 2028.

STAFFORD, Va. – Happy Last Day of School, Stafford students. As families head into summer break, school leaders are urging parents to start planning for next year, as the school day for some students will kick off earlier than usual.

The 2025–26 school year starts on Monday, August 11, with a special Transition Day for students entering kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. All other students will return on Tuesday, August 12.

Some Elementary schools will shift to new tiered start times to improve bus reliability and help with after-school schedules. Stafford County Public Schools announced the changes will take effect in August 2025.

Here’s how the new start and end times will break down:

8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

• Falmouth
• Grafton Village
• Hampton Oaks
• Kate Waller Barrett
• Margaret Brent
• Rockhill
• Rocky Run
• Stafford
• Winding Creek

8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

• Anne E. Moncure
• Anthony Burns
• Conway
• Ferry Farm
• Garrisonville
• Hartwood
• Park Ridge
• Widewater

Middle and high school start times will stay the same. According to Stafford County Public Schools, the changes aim to reduce bus delays and make daily routines more predictable for families.

Stafford County Public Schools announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorians for the Class of 2025 today. The division will host ticketed graduation ceremonies for Mountain View and Stafford HS on Friday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. Brooke Point, Colonial Forge, and North Stafford HS will host graduation on Saturday, May 31, at 8 a.m. All ceremonies will be available through a livestream link for those unable to attend.

The school division will graduate 2,611 seniors in total, setting them on their path to success. The Class of 2025 accumulated $10,125,381 in scholarships and will go into the workforce, serve in our military, and continue their education.

Brooke Point HS:
Olivia Holder, GPA: 4.703

Olivia has been accepted to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alabama. Olivia participated in several organizations while at Brooke Point High School including Model UN, she was President of the German Club, and Co-Captain of the Varsity Academic Team. She was also Brooke Point’s representative for Girl’s State in 2024.

Karina Pacheco, GPA: 4.678

Karina Pacheco will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University with a double major in Performing Arts and Biomedical Science. She also plans on interning at the Capital and working as a paraprofessional at an elementary school. While at Brooke Point High School, Karina participated in Theatre, NHS, SSAC, HOSA, Crochet Club, Improv Art and DECA.

Colonial Forge HS:

Paulina Ilina, GPA: 4.875

Commonwealth Governor’s School senior Paulina Ilina is determined. She taught herself to swim and became swim captain two years later. She also coached younger athletes. Already bilingual in English and Russian, she earned her Seal of Biliteracy in French her junior year. She challenged herself to take a rigorous course load, including seven AP and one DE class her senior year. Outside of her classwork, Paulina has been an active volunteer with the Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Buddy Club, and served as vice president and then president of the French Honor Society and treasurer of Student Creators for Change. She has also volunteered in the community with her local swim teams, the Woodland Wahoos and the RAYs, and as part of GOYA, the Greek Orthodox Youth Association. She plans to double major in chemistry and world languages at the University of Virginia while working towards a career in pediatric emergency medicine.

Kelly Coulter, GPA: 4.859

In her four years with the Commonwealth Governor’s School, Kelly has earned numerous awards, including the CGS Math Award freshman year, and the CGS Overall Award in grades 10 and 11. She has been a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the vice president of the History National Honor Society. She has volunteered her time with the Red Cross Club and UNICEF, and has served as an EMT. She also participated in French Club and DECA. Kelly hopes to make a difference and plans to pursue a pre-med path at the University of Virginia in the fall.

Mountain View HS:

Brody Kester, GPA: 4.907

Brody is a passionate and determined student, a mock trial and debate champion, a two-time varsity cross-country runner, a three-time FBLA regional event medalist, and an imminent Eagle Scout, honored with the Senior Patrol Leader Excellence Award. Through the MVHS gifted program, Brody attended the American Legion’s Boys State, earning Best City and winning the Moot Court Championship. As Cyber Club vice president, he competed on the winning CTF team, achieving top-three state finishes in the Commonwealth CyberCup for two consecutive years. Brody is a member of the Student Council Association, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he serves as a huddle leader and was recently awarded the Jersey Mike’s Champions of Faith Scholarship for his leadership. Every Sunday, Brody volunteers at church—either playing guitar or running the soundboard for worship. As a student leader, he heads the youth worship band with his keyboard and vocals. Informally, he enjoys reading physics and mathematics books, playing recreational soccer, and deconstructing orchestral chord progressions. This fall, Brody will attend the University of Virginia to major in computer science, pursuing a cybersecurity focal path including ethical hacking and data obfuscation, with prospective additional concentrations in law and data science.

Joline “Mei” Lee, GPA: 4.871

Mei is a dedicated and creative student, recognized as an AICE Cambridge Scholar and a U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist. Since moving to Mountain View, Mei has continued to pursue a rigorous academic path through a combination of IB, AP, and Dual Enrollment courses. Passionate about the arts, she has received multiple Scholastic Art Awards and previously served as President of both Art Club and National Art Honor Society. While living in Florida, Mei worked as a graphic design intern for the school district, where she discovered her passion for design and connecting with her community. At Mountain View, she has continued her involvement in community service through volunteer opportunities in the National Honor Society, Interact Club, and Bobcat Buddies. In her free time, Mei enjoys drawing, binge-watching her favorite shows, and collecting cute trinkets that make her smile. In the fall, Mei will be attending Northeastern University in Boston to study Mechanical Engineering and Design. She aims to explore the possibilities of artistic creativity with functional innovation.

North Stafford HS:

Caitlyn Spencer, GPA: 4.875

The daughter of a proud Filipina mother and a U.S. Air Force veteran father, Caitlyn has been committed to both academics and athletics. She was a part of the STAT engineering program and a proud National Honor Society member. Additionally, she participated in competitive Virginia aerospace innovation programs like the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) and the Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS). On the field, Caitlyn was a varsity cross-country runner for four years while serving as a captain for two. She was also on the varsity girls soccer team for four years, leading the team as a senior captain. In the fall, Caitlyn plans to get a degree in aerospace engineering for astronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

Fabiola Rodriguez, GPA: 4.773

Fabiola is a STAT Biomedical Sciences program and the proud daughter of a Puerto Rican family rooted in service and education. Her mother is a dedicated teacher, and her father is a U.S. Navy veteran. Their values of perseverance, faith, and community have deeply influenced her journey. She served as President of the Hispanic Student Association, Vice President and Secretary of the Spanish Honor Society, and as an Officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA-Future Health Professionals, and the All-County Choir. She is recognized as a College Board AP Scholar, received the National Hispanic Recognition Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, and earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy. She volunteers as a tutor and Sunday Bible School teacher.

During her senior year, inspired by her strong commitment to the well-being of the Hispanic community, she focused her STAT Capstone project on addressing mental health disparities affecting Hispanic adults. She conducted research and led an advocacy campaign aimed at raising awareness and improving access to culturally competent mental health care. Fabiola will attend the University of Virginia to study Biology on the pre-med track, with the goal of becoming a neurologist.

Stafford HS:

Jenah Chase, GPA: 4.897

Jenah is the daughter of Tram and Julia Chase. She has been actively involved in sports, clubs, and activities over the past four years at Stafford High School. She has been a member of Varsity Field Hockey for four years, Girls’ Tennis team, and is the co-founder and co-president of Pickleball Club. Jenah is the secretary for Math National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She is also a member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America, and Key Club. Jenah has been a part of the Learn and Serve program for the past two years, where she has earned over 70 hours of community service each year. In her spare time, Jenah enjoys playing the piano and guitar, as well as playing board games, card games, and sports. Jenah will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall and plans to major in elementary education.

Rachel Kessler, GPA: 4.842

Rachel is a quadruplet born in Bethesda, Maryland to Captain and Mrs. George A. Kessler, Jr. Her father’s military career had the family move around as she grew up, which included living in Japan and Italy prior to arriving in Stafford. She has enjoyed her time at Stafford High School and was active in Key Club, National English Honors Society, Pickleball Club, and Girls Soccer. Her favorite class at SHS was AP European History. Her passions include reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Rachel plans to continue her academic career at Jacksonville University pursuing a degree in Nursing followed by a career in the U.S. Navy.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Falmouth Elementary School students got a fresh taste of hands-on learning today, thanks to a Project Learning Garden enhancement grant from Cox Enterprises and the Captain Planet Foundation. The school celebrated the expansion of its outdoor classroom during a community event that drew local leaders and education supporters.

Originally built by students in 2017, the school’s learning garden now includes five raised beds filled with organic soil where students grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. With the help of a $500 grant, new gardening tools, a Vitamix blender, and a mobile cooking cart, students harvested their produce and prepared a garden-fresh salad—learning about nutrition, science, and sustainability in the process.

“This opportunity gives our students the resources to explore nutrition science, math, and language arts through hands-on learning,” said Principal Ashley Hall, in a press release. “With a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, our students will grow both in knowledge and appreciation for the world around them.”

Virginia House Delegate Joshua Cole (D-65, Fredericksburg, Stafford), Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke, Stafford County Administrator Bill Ashton, and School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund attended the event. They were joined by Cox Enterprises representatives and members of the Captain Planet Foundation to recognize the school’s commitment to real-world learning experiences.

Captain Planet Foundation COO LaToya Henry called the garden a powerful educational tool. “It’s an excellent way to enhance students’ understanding of natural systems, food origins, and healthy eating,” she said.

Falmouth Elementary won the Project Learning Garden grant through an online winter contest. The program provides schools with raised beds, soil, seeds, and various instructional tools. It integrates with subjects like science, social studies, math, and language arts, helping students connect academic lessons with real-life experiences.

“Project Learning Garden significantly benefits children by inspiring them through direct engagement with nature,” said Kathryn Falk, Cox Communications’ Northern Virginia market vice president. “It aligns perfectly with Cox’s mission to empower millions to lead more prosperous lives by 2034.”

STAFFORD, Va. – Students in the Cyber4+ Cohort I (Class of 2026) from Stafford County Public Schools came together for a special luncheon on Tuesday, May 20, at Robiolina Italian Cuisine. The event, themed “Cyber4+ Reflect – What’s Next,” offered students a chance to reflect on their progress and connect with local mentors in cybersecurity, IT, and public service.

According to a press release from the school division, Cyber4+ launched in 2021 through the Virginia Department of Education’s CTE High School Innovation Grant. The program is a partnership between Stafford County Public Schools, Germanna Community College, GCubed Inc., and the Stafford County Office of Economic Development and Tourism. It helps high school students earn CompTIA certifications and prepares them for jobs in the fast-growing cybersecurity field.

Students heard from leaders in business, education, and public service who have supported the program since it began. Delegate Joshua Cole (D-Frederickskburg, Stafford) encouraged students to explore all post-graduation paths—college, apprenticeships, and public service. Other guest speakers included Dr. Alaysia Black-Hackett of ABH Solutions, Ratisha Smith of Quad 22, and Devon Heholt of G3 Community Services, each sharing insights from their own career journeys and offering mentorship to students.

Stafford Schools’ Career and Technical Education Coordinator Deea Green highlighted the real-world tools the students use, including ManTech computers, CompTIA’s learning platform, TestOut simulations, and certification boot camps—all designed to help students succeed in the cybersecurity industry.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Thousands of elementary students in Stafford County will head to different schools starting in the 2026-27 school year, following the School Board’s unanimous approval of a countywide redistricting plan.

The board voted on Tuesday, May 13, to adopt Scenario Lime, a boundary adjustment that prepares for the opening of two new elementary schools currently under construction—Elementary School 18 (ES-18) and Elementary School 19 (ES-19).

Which Schools Are Affected?

According to Stafford County Public Schools, the following elementary schools are affected:

• Barrett Elementary
• Conway Elementary
• Ferry Farm Elementary
• Garrisonville Elementary
• Hartwood Elementary
• Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
• Margaret Brent Elementary
• Park Ridge Elementary
• Rock Hill Elementary
• Rocky Run Elementary
• Stafford Elementary
• Widewater Elementary
• Winding Creek Elementary
• Elementary School 18 (ES-18)
• Elementary School 19 (ES-19)
• Neighborhoods such as Rappahannock Landing, Old Forge, and Clearview Heights are among those expected to see students move to different schools under the new boundaries.

Why the Change?

School officials say the redistricting is needed to relieve overcrowding and balance enrollment across the county’s elementary schools. The two new schools are being built to handle growth in areas like Westlake, where new housing developments are underway.

Based on projections shared by school staff, all schools are expected to open under capacity in 2026. However, by 2030, three schools could slightly exceed their limits, with the highest expected utilization at 103%.

What Happens Next?

The changes will go into effect when ES-18 and ES-19 open in fall 2026. School officials plan to notify affected families and provide transition support over the next year.

A proposal to let rising fifth-graders stay at their current schools for one final year—if parents provided transportation—was narrowly rejected in a 4-3 vote. As it stands, all impacted students will move to their new schools in 2026 unless they qualify for a transfer under existing policies.

Looking Ahead

School leaders acknowledge redistricting can be challenging but say this plan positions Stafford’s elementary schools to better serve students as the community grows.

More information, including new boundary maps and transition resources, is expected to be released soon by Stafford County Public Schools.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our exclusive five-part series, "A Conversation with the Superintendent," featuring an in-depth interview with Dr. Daniel W. Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. In this series, we explore Dr. Smith’s vision, challenges, and priorities—from addressing school transportation issues to tackling equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.

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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved a $2.95 million warehouse purchase on Blackjack Road, siding with school officials who say the facility is essential to meet the district’s growing infrastructure needs, despite concerns from some supervisors who argued the deal was rushed and overpriced.

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