Prince William County Schools are currently suffering from an infrastructure deficit. Evidence of this fact is found in the size of our classrooms, we have the most overcrowded in not only the region but also the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. This issue must be addressed, but it’s important to first understand how we got here and what policy changes must be made to correct course.
Much of what the School Board is given to work with stems from the policy decisions made by our Board of County Supervisors, particularly in the areas of taxation and land use. Indeed the approval of new residential development in the last decade has contributed greatly to our public school total enrollment growing from 68,234 in 2005 to 86,209 in 2014. Our locally elected Boards share in responsibility for the current state of our schools. County tax dollars, which help fund the school system along with State and Federal monies, are collected by the Board of County Supervisors and give approximately 57% of those revenues to our School Board in the form of the Revenue Sharing Agreement.
We are one of only two jurisdictions in Virginia that implements an instrument such as the Revenue Sharing Agreement. Implicit in that agreement is that the School Board will: budget, prioritize & maximize County tax dollars to leverage the best school system possible here in Prince William County. Unfortunately our currently elected School Board has not been successful at this task. County schools spend less per pupil than any other county in Northern Virginia. Our students have the lowest ACT and SOL scores amongst their neighbors in the region.
From the School Board perspective policy change needs to occur to correct this inefficient course we are on. We are currently building the most expensive high school in the history of this state along with an Olympic Size pool just to use one example of this school system siphoning money out of the classrooms. Our teachers have seen little in the way of competitive wages over the last 5 years. This has had an impact on both recruitment and retention. A school system is judged on its education in the classroom, not the beauty of its facilities or their respective amenities.
As School Board Chairperson I will work with the Board of Supervisors to influence policy helpful to our Schools, but within the Supervisors’ purview. I will better prioritize spending to send more money directly to the classroom to reduce class sizes, provide for competitive wages for personnel other than central administration, and find the most efficient use of tax dollars for capital projects. A continuation of our current policies will fail to address the infrastructure deficit our school system is suffering from.
*Tracy Conroy is a candidate for Prince William County School Board Chairman.
Recent Stories
Commuter traffic in the Washington, D.C. metro area is set to surge as President Donald Trump issues an executive order ending remote work for federal employees. The Center Square reports that Trump’s directive mandates federal workers return to their offices full-time, with limited exemptions determined by department heads. The move is welcomed by regional leaders like Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who have long urged a return to in-person work to bolster public transit ridership and address underused federal buildings. Federal employees, who constitute a significant portion of D.C.-area residents, are pivotal to the region’s economy.
Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge. The December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause. Meanwhile, a January 21 townhouse fire in Woodbridge displaced two residents after unattended cooking sparked flames. Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants, allowing them to escape safely. Both incidents highlight the importance of fire safety and preparedness as investigations into the causes continue.
In a pivotal discussion during the January 21, 2025, meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding measures for a new fire station in the Brentsville District, addressing a pressing need for expanded emergency services. The debate revolved around whether to utilize proffer funds—developer-contributed resources earmarked for public infrastructure—or tap into the county’s fire levy fund.
Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy initiated an amendment to the funding resolution, proposing the use of Brentsville District fire proffers “to the greatest extent possible” before considering the fire levy fund. With $3 million available in Brentsville fire proffers, Gordy emphasized aligning these restricted funds with their intended purpose: supporting fire and rescue services.
“This approach ensures that we prioritize restricted funds before relying on broader resources like the fire levy,” Gordy explained.
Arctic high pressure continues to grip the region, keeping dangerously cold temperatures and bitter wind chills in place through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service warns that these frigid conditions will persist, with temperatures struggling to climb above freezing during the day and plummeting overnight.
Temperatures on Wednesday will remain well below freezing, with daytime highs only reaching the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will remain a significant concern, with values ranging from -10°F to -25°F in many areas.
By Wednesday night, winds will ease slightly as high pressure drifts overhead, but temperatures will still drop to the single digits in many areas, with subzero readings likely in higher elevations.
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.
