The Stafford County Board of Supervisors and the School Board convened to deliberate over crucial matters concerning the county’s educational system and fiscal landscape.
The gathering, marked by various viewpoints and concerns, encapsulated the multifaceted challenges facing Stafford’s educational infrastructure and underscored the imperative for collaborative solutions.
Stafford County Public Schools will commence kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 academic year on March 6. Parents and guardians of children who reach the age of five by September 30, 2024, are encouraged to complete the online registration process.
Several documents are requisite for enrollment, including a driver’s license or photo ID for the parent or guardian, the child’s official birth certificate, current physical and updated immunization records before the school’s opening, and proof of residence or domicile. The latter entails providing a deed, lease, or tax bill, along with two additional current documents, such as utility bills tied to the home, employment verification, tax documents, or other official correspondences.
Stafford Schools initiated the on-site solar installation endeavor in 2020, partnering with Sun Tribe Solar as the project developer and Madison Energy Infrastructure (MEI) as the financier and managing partner. This week, the installation initiative integrates into the educational curriculum as students interact with solar professionals to gain insights into the solar array, explore careers in renewable energy, and construct their solar circuits.
“Our mission is to inspire and empower our students so that they are prepared to excel, and this project certainly sets them up to be global changemakers,” states Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor in a press release. “I am delighted that the installation has aligned perfectly with Career and Technical Education Month, allowing us to showcase diverse, in-demand careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as clean energy.”
Stafford County Administrator Randall Vosburg presented the fiscal year 2025 budget to the Board of Supervisors, highlighting the county’s achievements, population growth, and budget drivers.
The total budget amount for fiscal year 2025 reached a significant milestone, surpassing one billion dollars, marking a substantial investment in the community’s needs and priorities. Vosburg outlined key areas driving the budget, including the county’s robust population growth, which has made Stafford the third fastest-growing jurisdiction in Virginia. With a population exceeding 165,100 and a median household income of approximately $128,000, Stafford County continues to experience economic prosperity and expansion.
Angelene Daganzo and Adam Ahmed, both distinguished seniors representing Colonial Forge High School, have been chosen as candidates based on their exceptional academic performances, exemplary SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, thorough self-assessments, comprehensive school reports, and impeccable transcripts.
Adam Ahmed, who currently holds the prestigious positions of senior-class president and Parliamentarian at the Future Business Leaders of America, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his candidacy. His involvement in various community service projects, including church and food scarcity initiatives, alongside active participation in organizations such as the Muslim Student Association and Habitat for Humanity, underscores his commitment to societal betterment. Ahmed’s aspirations to pursue a major in Biology at the collegiate level further highlight his dedication to academic excellence and personal growth.
The Stafford County School Board unanimously approved its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 operating budget during a meeting held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in a 6-1 vote. The approved budget, in line with the School Board’s established priorities, aims to support various aspects of educational development without employing descriptive language.
The budget request is $42 million more than last year. Of that, about $19 million would need to come from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. The total approved budget is $457 million for the 2024-2025 academic year, is slated for submission to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors for final approval.
Stafford County authorities have charged a juvenile with multiple swatting incidents that targeted area schools last year, creating widespread panic and concern among students, parents, and staff. The investigation, which spanned several months, culminated in a search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence, where investigators seized a large cache of electronic devices.
The young individual, whose identity remains protected due to their minor status, has pleaded guilty to charges including making terroristic threats and the false summoning of law enforcement, states a Stafford sheriff’s office press release. This plea led to the forfeiture of all seized electronic devices, marking a crucial step in the legal proceedings and sending a strong message about the consequences of such actions, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports, it adds.
The school division announced it will revert to a three-bell lunch schedule starting Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Potomac Local was the first to tell you administrators were scrutinizing the extended “power hour” lunch period following the arrest of at least 10 students involved in an early-morning fight at Brooke Point High School on January 29, 2024.
Later that day, police placed the school on lockdown after students assaulted two Brooke Point teachers in a separate incident.
