Stafford County Public Schools Archives - Page 18 of 39

Stafford School Board to Hold Special Meeting on Aug. 27

Published August 22, 2024 at 12:20PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Stafford County Public Schools Alvin York Bandy Complex, the headquarters of the school division.

The Stafford County School Board will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 27, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, livestreamed online, and televised on local cable channels. The public is invited to attend, but the agenda does not include public comments.

The meeting agenda includes a transportation update; Stafford Public Schools faced a chaotic first week with major software issues that left thousands of students without transportation to and from school. The board will also discuss redistricting for the county’s newest High School, which will impact students in the 2026-27 school year. The school will be located between Route 17 and Truslow Road in the southwestern part of the county. This area currently does not have a public high school, and the new facility is expected to help alleviate overcrowding in the existing schools.

Stafford

Stafford Supervisors Approve Height Exception for New Elementary School Amid Concerns Over Location and Community Input

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 22, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

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

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

News

Stafford County Unveils New “I Voted” Sticker Designed by Local Student

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 21, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

Stafford County's new "I Voted" sticker

Stafford County voters will receive a new, unique “I Voted” sticker this year. Ellie Brewer, a senior at Mountain View High School, created the hand-drawn design of a cardinal perched on a dogwood branch, symbolizing the pride and beauty of Virginia.

Brewer’s design will be featured on the official 2024 “I Voted” stickers distributed at polling stations throughout Stafford County. Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) collaborated with Stafford County Government and the Office of Elections to host the 2024 sticker design contest. Students were asked to create designs to inspire voter participation.

News

Commercial-Quality Sunshades Proposed for Stafford Elementary Schools

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 21, 2024 at 8:00AM

In a recent Stafford County School Board meeting on August 6, 2024, members discussed installing sunshades at elementary schools. The discussion highlighted the varying financial capabilities and safety concerns across different schools.

News

Most Stafford Students Now Have Bus Routes, But Issues Persist for Some

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 19, 2024 at 6:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

Acting Superintendent Chris Fulmer said 99% of Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) students have now been assigned bus routes, but “despite our best efforts, there are students without confirmed routes.”

SCPS began the year with significant transportation issues, with almost 3,000 students who had no assigned bus route. Parents were notified the night before school began for Kindergarteners, Sixth and Ninth graders. The issues continued throughout the first week. According to Fulmer, the issues were due to a software issue with the new transportation app.

News

Bright Chalk, Bright Futures: Via Colori to Support Stafford Schools

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 16, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

Via Colori Stafford (Photos | Scott Mayausky)

Stafford County’s fourth annual Via Colori will return the weekend of Sept. 28-29, 2024. The annual street painting festival is a free family-friendly event where artists create large-scale chalk drawings, attracting thousands of spectators each year. while food, vendors, and live music add more activity.

Discover Stafford, formerly known as the Stafford County Museum & Cultural Center, established Via Colori Stafford, an annual signature fundraising event. Funds raised through sponsorships of Via Colori Stafford go back to the county through the Museum and local efforts of the Rotary Club of North Stafford and the Rotary Club of Stafford.

News

First Week Fiasco: Stafford Schools’ Transportation Problems Continue, System Fails Thousands of Students

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 14, 2024 at 6:30AM | Updated September 6, 2024 at 11:37AM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Schools is still working to resolve a transportation crisis.

On Monday, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some 3,000 children would not have bus transportation to school. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus to carry them to school.

News

Costs Balloon for Drew Middle School Replacement

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 12:23PM

The Stafford County School Board met on Tuesday, August 6, to discuss several significant capital improvement projects, focusing on school replacements, renovations, and new facilities. Acting Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Fulmer led the discussion, emphasizing the early stages of these projects and the need for careful planning.

One of the main topics was the replacement of Drew Middle School. The projected costs for this project have increased from the previously approved $96 million to an estimated $115 to $120 million. Fulmer noted that the increase is due to the higher square footage required, land costs, and off-site improvements requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “We’re anticipating having an architect on board in November,” Fulmer said, adding that the planning and design schedules are compressed due to the immediate needs of the school division.

Schools

Stafford County Parents Push for Responsive, Long-Term Superintendent

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:37PM

Stafford County School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund

The Stafford County School Board has provided a detailed timeline for its search for a new school division superintendent. During a recent board meeting, the consulting firm JG Consulting, hired to assist with the search, presented the timeline and key milestones.

The search is currently in the community engagement phase. JG Consulting has conducted meetings with various groups within Stafford County, both internally and externally, to gather input on the leadership qualities desired in the next superintendent.

Breaking News

Last-Minute Bus Route Delays Leave Stafford Parents Scrambling as School Year Begins

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 11, 2024 at 9:45PM | Updated September 6, 2024 at 11:37AM

With some students returning to class tomorrow, parents in Stafford County are expressing frustration and concern as some students have yet to be assigned bus routes for the upcoming school year. In a letter sent to families, Karim Johnson, the Executive Director of Transportation Services, acknowledged the delay and apologized for the oversight, assuring parents that his team was working diligently to resolve the issue.

The first day of school for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students is tomorrow, Monday, August 12, 2024. All other students will return to school on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Johnson emphasized that the transportation team works around the clock to ensure all students receive their bus assignments by Monday evening.