The Manassas City School Board is set to vote to raise the salary of Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman at its meeting on Tuesday.
The chief executive of the school system currently makes just over $200,000 a year. With the four-percent raise the School Board is considering for Newman, he’ll make about $209,000 per year, should the Board approve the raise.
The pay hike would be the second for Newman in as many years. Newman’s salary would have incased 7% since the 2019-2020 school year, according to school divisions spokeswoman Almetta Radford.
Newman came to the city in 2018 from Colonial Beach, taking over the superintendent’s role for Dr. Catherine Magouyrk, who came to work for the city in 2012.
Under Newman, the rate of chronic absenteeism has dropped, as just 13% of the school division’s more than 7,000 students were absent in the 2018-19 school year, compared with 16% the year before.
Students have also improved across the board when it comes to math and writing scores. However, the school division has seen declines in history and English assessments between the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school year, the last year that Virginia Department of Education data is available.
Residents will have the chance to speak during the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, at City Hall located at 9027 Center Street in Manassas.
Also on the meeting agenda is an update from the School Board Policy Committee. The committee is reviewing multiple school division policies on how teachers evaluate themselves to how the School Board conducts business.
Two recent policies — ACC [the city school division’s newly proposed anti-racism policy] and DAB [newly proposed diversity, equity, and inclusion policy] — were updated on June 22.
The anti-racism policy states the school structural racism exists throughout the school division. The equity policy calls for hiring more teachers based on race to narrow and eliminate the achievement gap between high and low achieving students.
It also aims to create a new curriculum that incorporates “the contributions of diverse cultural groups” all over the course of the next three years.
The two policies were placed on the School Board’s June 22 consent agenda and approved along with several other, unrelated items, without comments from the majority of School Board members.
“Let these policies be a tool and a guide to stand against hast and discrimination and for educational access and fairness to all of our students,” School Board member Suzanne Seaberg said, following the approval of the consent agenda on June 22.
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If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, look no further than Aria Mia, a sweet little kitten currently up for adoption at Prince William County Animal Services. This brave little one arrived as a stray with injuries to both of her eyes. Aria Mia has already undergone surgery on one eye and will need follow-up treatment for the other. Despite her challenges, she’s shown incredible resilience and is ready to start a new chapter with a loving family.
Aria Mia has already proven that she’s not just a cat lover but a dog lover too! During her recovery at Caring Hands Veterinary Clinic, she showed how well she gets along with dogs. So, if you’re looking for a kitten who can coexist with your furry canine companions, Aria Mia might just be the perfect fit for you.
Come meet Aria Mia today and see for yourself what a sweet, loving companion she can be. She’s eager to find her forever home and start the next phase of her life in a caring and compassionate environment.
Deuntay Diggs, Chair of Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors, indicated Tuesday evening that he is prepared to take legal action should some of his colleagues continue to ask for an amendment to the Code of Performance that “adversely affects my career, my calling,” reports the FXBG Advance.
A report from the Federal Railroad Administration requested by Fredericksburg City Council and Mayor Kerry Devine on this past summer’s freight car derailment blames human error for the mishap, reports the FXBG Advance.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is progressing toward finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Department of Economic Development.
The draft MOU aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both entities in promoting economic growth and business attraction within the county. However, concerns raised by some Board members suggest that the document may need further refinement before it can be adopted.
During a work session on January 28, 2025, Liz Barber, the county’s Director of Economic Development, presented the draft MOU, highlighting the extensive process that led to its creation. The document was developed over the past year, with input from both county administration and EDA members. Its goal is to establish clear guidelines and expectations for the EDA and the Department of Economic Development, particularly regarding the administrative processes, division of duties, and collaboration between the two bodies.
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.
