Editorâs 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. Smithâs vision, challenges, and prioritiesâfrom addressing school transportation issues to tackling equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.
Part 2: Fixing the Bus Problem â New Plans for Transportation in Stafford
Stafford County Public Schools has faced mounting criticism over its student transportation system. From late buses to no-shows, families voiced their frustration during connection sessions held by Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith earlier this year. In response, Smith is moving quickly. âWe canât wait another year,â he said. âThe data showed our biggest bottleneck was at the elementary level. Thatâs where we had to start.â
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STAFFORD, Va. â Concerns over development, infrastructure, education, and environmental protection took center stage at a packed town hall meeting held Tuesday, April 29, at Colonial Forge High School. The meeting brought together Board of Supervisors Chair Deuntay Diggs, Supervisor Tinesha Allen, and School Board members Maureen Siegmund and Maya Guy, who answered questions from roughly 60 residents over two hours.
Development Pressure: Attain at Stafford Draws Scrutiny
One topic that sparked debate was the proposed Attain at Stafford, a mixed-use development that would bring 300 apartments and over 57,000 square feet of commercial space near Stafford Hospital. Though the Planning Commission approved the rezoning request earlier this month, the project still awaits a final vote by the Board of Supervisors.
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STAFFORD, Va. â Stafford County Public Schools officials are asking the Board of Supervisors to approve a $2.95 million property purchase for warehouse and training space currently used by the school division.
The request was discussed during a Board of Supervisors work session on April 22, 2025. Chris Fulmer, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer for Stafford County Public Schools, said the division has leased the Blackjack Road facility for the past three to four years. It houses school nutrition services, furniture and technology storage, and a training site for school bus drivers and attendants.
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Stafford County Government and Stafford County Public Schools will host a joint job fair on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at the Rowser Building, 1739 Richmond Highway, Stafford. Stafford County Government is hiring for positions including Administrative Specialist II, Deputy Sheriff, Building Inspections Supervisor, Environmental Inspector, and Transportation Program Director. Stafford County Public Schools is hiring teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and more. The event is aimed at helping federal employees and others continue their careers in public service.
Here’s the full press release:
Stafford County Government and Stafford Schools will host a joint job fair on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to showcase available jobs and support federal employees seeking to continue their government service.
The event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Rowser Building, Room A, 1739 Richmond Highway, Stafford, VA 22554. Both Stafford County Government and Stafford Schools have various job openings, including engineers, nurses, teachers, paraprofessionals, managers, tax specialists, deputies, economic development managers, land conservation specialists, park attendants, and more.
This joint job fair town hall is part of an ongoing commitment by Board of Supervisors Chairman Deuntay Diggs and School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund to strengthen collaboration between the two boards as they work to meet the community’s evolving needs.
âWe understand this is a difficult time for our residents who are federal workers. We want them to know that we are hiring and would welcome them moving forward in their public service career,â said Chairman Diggs. âI am grateful to the Schools for collaborating on this event at a critical time for our community.â
“Stafford Schools is proud to join with our County partners in supporting the community and opening doors to meaningful careers. This job fair reflects our shared commitment to public service and to helping individuals continue making a difference in our community,â said Chair Siegmund.
This collaborative event reflects a shared desire to invite residents and federal employees to #ChooseStafford to live, work, and learn. Jobs available at Stafford County Government may be found at www.staffordcountyva.gov/jobs. Jobs available at the Schools may be found at www.staffordschools.schoolspring.com.
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STAFFORD, Va. â The average homeowner in Stafford County will pay $130 more in property taxes starting July 1, 2025, after the Board of Supervisors approved a three-percent increase to the real estate tax rateâthe countyâs central funding source for local government and schools. Homeowners with a property assessed at the county average of $434,400 will receive a $4,069 bill.
According to data from Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky, average residential tax bills have increased 62% since 2012, when the typical homeowner paid $2,506. Over the same period, the average home value rose nearly 60%, slightly trailing the pace of tax increases.
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Editorâs Note: This is the first in a six-part series called âA Conversation with the Superintendent,â based on a sit-down interview with Stafford County Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith. The series explores Smithâs vision for the division, how he plans to fix school transportation, address special education and equity gaps, manage a growing budget crisis, recruit new talent, and navigate ongoing debates about diversity and inclusion. Stay with us each week for new installments.
When Dr. Daniel W. Smith started his new role as Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools on December 9, 2024, he didnât come in with plans to make sweeping changes overnight. Instead, he saw an opportunity to listen.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) on Friday defended his decision to veto a bill that would have let Stafford County voters decide whether to raise the local sales tax by one percent to help pay for school construction.
In a response to Potomac Local News, Youngkin said he rejected the measure to protect Virginians from what he sees as over-taxation at both the state and local levels.
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In celebration of Theatre in Our Schools Month, the Stafford County School Board has honored two of its most inspiring theatre educators, Michael DâAddario of Stafford High School and Lisa Cover Tucci of Colonial Forge High School.
Both teachers were recognized during the March 11, 2025, School Board meeting, where board members praised their commitment to student growth, creative excellence, and community engagement through the performing arts.
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Dozens of Stafford County residents packed the chambers Tuesday night during a special-called meeting of the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the proposed $1.015 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget â and the tax increase that may come with it.
The meeting featured a detailed budget presentation by Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light, followed by a public hearing where residents delivered emotional appeals both for and against the proposed increase in the countyâs real estate tax rate.
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Stafford County leaders are responding to Governor Glenn Youngkinâs recent veto of SB1307, a bill that would have allowed counties and cities across Virginia to hold voter referendums on implementing a 1% local sales and use tax dedicated to public school construction and renovation projects.
The legislation, introduced by Senator Jeremy McPike (D-29, Prince William, Stafford), sought to add Stafford County to the list of localities eligible to consider the tax through a ballot referendum. McPike criticized the governorâs decision on social media, calling it a move that blocks local communities from choosing how to fund needed school improvements.
