Letter to the editor
School Board Chairman is not a stepping stone for Tracy Conroy.
Her sole purpose for running is to help the school system make good on the “World Class Education” that it boasts about. She is running for Prince William County Public Schools School Board Chairman as an Independent and is not beholden to any political party.
There are far too many unmet critical needs and deficits within the school district and having political agendas has only gotten us stuck repeating the same mistakes. She has already shown tireless dedication to the community for years by attending nearly all school board meetings, even staying into the late night hours, being a member on school budget committees, researching policies, budget issues, and coming up with viable options to fix what is broken.
She has been reaching out to the community for years through social media and volunteering. Tracy is a champion for our Special Education students. She goes out of her way to help parents find resources and makes compassionate and practical suggestions.
Sometimes it’s simply listening without judging, other times tracking down names and numbers for needed services or putting parents in touch with the right people. She will be proactive in supporting our students’ physical, social, and emotional needs. She will not be afraid to bring Mental Health into the light.
I trust Tracy because she is straightforward, honest, and completely open to questions, concerns, and new ideas. She wants to hear from the community and actively seeks input. She has excellent ideas for balancing school enrollments.
She will look at the budget as it stands and work with the entire school board, administration, and community to make sure that all vital goals and services are met. She doesn’t leave any group of students or teachers out. She cares deeply about Diversity, Gifted Education, Special Education, and the Arts. Prince William County Schools need a Chairman with a real heart for children and families.
Too many decisions over the years have been based on politics and not on what is best for our students’ educational and personal wellbeing. Tracy will stand up for the students, teachers, and community and she will stand up to the School Administration.
Tracy Conroy will be an asset as Chairman. She will help our most valuable resources, our children, to grow and prosper with the unyielding support of Prince William County Schools.
Amanda Bates is a parent of three children who attend Prince William County Public Schools.
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
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.