Letter to the editor
Over the past year, I’ve knocked on countless doors across Coles District, telling voters, “I’m running for School Board to prioritize our budget and put more money in the classroom to educate our students.” It’s a simple message, but a focus that will improve our School System. As we prioritize our students, we will achieve the results our community deserves.
While our school system does a lot with the resources it has, there are a number of ways we can do better.
Fifty-seven percent of our property tax dollars go to the school system. Our county deserves to know that every dollar is being maximized. Sadly, many do not have that confidence, and every dollar wasted is an educational opportunity lost for our students.
Our misplaced priorities have created a formula that needs to change. Currently, Prince William County students are barely scoring above the state averages on most standardized tests, yet we also have the highest paid superintendent and the most expensive high school in the region. Superintendent Walts’ annual compensation package is near $400,000. How many of you knew that Prince William County is maxing out retirement contributions to three different retirement programs for Superintendent Steve Walts? We pay approximately $70,000 a year toward his retirement, a staggering amount, and more than most teachers make in a year.
While the superintendent’s compensation package isn’t enough to solve our budget problems, it’s a striking example of our misplaced priorities. We see similarly misplaced priorities in the original plan for construction of the thirteenth high school. Fortunately, just this past month, School Board member Gil Trenum forced school staff to create a high school design that was $3 million cheaper than the original design. The new design also seats an additional 500 students, all while being energy efficient. One has to wonder, if our school staff is serious about overcrowding, why aren’t they proposing designs like this themselves, instead of being forced to adapt after incessant prodding?
When you look at the data, what you find is that every neighboring county is doing a better job than Prince William County in the area of prioritizing instructional costs. This is true regardless of the number of students, or the dollars per student spent. According to the Virginia Department of Education Scorecard, Loudoun, Fairfax, Stafford, and Fauquier counties all spend between 3% and 5% more on instructional costs than Prince William County. If we increased our spending on educational costs accordingly, that would be an additional $30-50 million dollars spent on our students. This level of prioritization would make a huge difference.
As I talk to parents, taxpayers, and teachers across the district, we’ve discussed some areas where we need to improve. We need to reduce class sizes, which would improve teacher-to-student ratios and increase educational opportunities for our students. We need to prioritize special education, and we need to focus on increasing compensation for teachers and bus drivers, so we can reduce turnover and incentivize veteran professionals to continue investing in our system.
These improvements are all possible if we first prioritize our budget. Our students deserve a school board that focuses on getting results for them, and every taxpayer deserves the knowledge that their investment is being used as effectively as possible.
By electing a school board that focuses on prioritizing the school budget the same way we all prioritize our household and business budgets, we will have the ability to reach these goals and provide a better quality education for our students.
Willie Deutsch is running to become the next Coles District representative on the Prince William County School Board.
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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
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Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.
A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.
DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.
Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.
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King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
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.
Featuring: