By KRISTINA SCHNACK KOTLUS
Schools and Education Reporter
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Woodbridge residents were appointed a new school board representative last night in the form of Steven Keen, but their representation might be sparse.
While long-time school board member Betty Covington, who served with Keen on the original county school board, said that Keen was “just wonderful”, Woodbridge District residents who would like to see any changes during Keen’s tenure may have another thing coming.
Keen promised the board members who appointed him that he would listen respectfully and vote on agenda items presented by elected board members, but that as an appointed member, he would take a back seat to elected officials and “not introduce any new items” on behalf of those he was selected to represent.
Keen’s brief resume and statement of interest to the board include completion of two years of college, work for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control, and service as a three-time president of the Woodbridge Kiwanis Club, in addition to his promise to stay out of the way of the current board members.
Occoquan District’s Lillie Jessie provided the only dissenting vote, quite a shake-up for a board that typically votes unanimously.
According to Prince William County Schools, Keen has served on the School Board before:
Keen previously served as the elected Woodbridge Member of the School Board, from 1995-99.
Keen was selected from among six applicants for the post vacated with the November resignation of former Board Member Denita Rameriz. The soon-to-be-sworn-in Board designee will serve on an interim basis until Woodbridge District voters elect a replacement to complete the term that ends December 31, 2015.
Board Chairman-at-Large Milton C. Johns praised all six applicants as, “excellent and highly qualified.” He noted the difficulty of selecting just one from a group he described as, “motivated by service to the community and to children.”
“Children will be the top priority.” says Keen. As a non-elected Board Member, he says he will focus on, “providing continuity of leadership for the Woodbridge District.”
A department manager for Office Depot, Keen has more than 35years of experience in the retail and training fields. He is also a three-term president of the Woodbridge Kiwanis Club. Keen has resided in the county for 35 years, and has three daughters who attended Prince William County Schools.
In other School Board news, the governing body last night elected a new Vice-Chairman who will replace Neabsco District School Board member Lisa Bell:
The Board’s annual organizational meeting also resulted in the election of Longtime Coles District Board Member, Dr. Michael Otaigbe of the Coles District, to serve as Vice Chairman for 2013. Dr. Otaigbe replaces 2012 Vice Chair, Lisa Bell, who will continue her service on the School Board, representing the Neabsco District.
Recent Stories
The Fourth Wish Foundation invites the community to a special white belt graduation ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. at Underground Krav Maga and Fitness in Gainesville.
The event celebrates the achievements of 54 children who have completed three months of Krav Maga training as part of the foundation’s “Healthy Kid Initiative,” a program launched in 2024 to provide extracurricular opportunities to children from financially challenged families.
“We want to ensure these children can continue with this worthy program that has already made such a positive impact on their lives,” said Sue Khalatbari, Director of The Fourth Wish Foundation. The foundation is seeking donations to sustain and expand the initiative, helping more children gain confidence, physical fitness, and critical life skills.
A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
A speeding incident escalated into a high-speed pursuit Wednesday, January 21, 2025, on Interstate 95, according to Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein.
At 11:33 a.m., a Virginia State Police trooper attempted to stop a silver sedan traveling northbound on I-95 near the 157-mile marker in Prince William County for speeding—clocked at 93 mph in a 60-mph zone. The driver refused to stop, prompting a police pursuit.
During the chase, the sedan struck the mirror of another vehicle, causing minor damage, but no injuries were reported. The pursuit continued onto eastbound Interstate 495 and ultimately ended at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, marking the Maryland state line. At that point, the pursuit was terminated.
A recent cybersecurity incident affecting PowerSchool, a global provider of education administration software, has raised concerns for school systems across the country, including Fredericksburg City and Manassas City Public Schools. PowerSchool confirmed that its internal systems were breached in late December, resulting in unauthorized access to data involving students and educators from hundreds of school divisions.
PowerSchool, widely used by schools worldwide, supports over 18,000 institutions, serving more than 60 million students. The platform handles essential administrative functions such as attendance tracking, grade reporting, and student data management. While PowerSchool has restored its systems’ security, the breach underscores the vulnerability of sensitive educational information.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
