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.
Part 5: Equity and Inclusion — DEI in Today’s Climate
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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.
In a 4-3 vote, the board passed Resolution R25-105, authorizing Stafford County Public Schools to use leftover funds from its FY2024 budget to buy the building at 42 Blackjack Road. The warehouse currently houses several school division operations, including IT storage, bus driver training, and nutrition services. School leaders say owning the space will end the need to rent it and provide a long-term solution as the division grows.
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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to spend $2.5 million on land for the long-awaited rebuild of Drew Middle School.
The money, pulled from the county’s Capital Projects Fund, will be transferred to the Schools Capital Projects Fund to buy a new site for the school. The rebuild has been years in the making—and for many in the community, it’s personal.
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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 fixing school transportation to addressing equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.
Part 4: Building a Workforce for the Future — Hiring Local, Teaching Real-World Skills
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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 fixing school transportation to addressing equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.
Part 3: Reaching Every Learner — Special Education, ESL, and Academic Equity
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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.
Part 2: Fixing the Bus Problem — 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. “We can’t wait another year,” he said. “The data showed our biggest bottleneck was at the elementary level. That’s where we had to start.”
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STAFFORD, Va. – 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. — 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.
