STAFFORD — Faced with redistricting all of Stafford County’s 17 elementary schools, the administration has decided to rely heavily on the contractor they hired to do the job.
The School Board met Tuesday evening to discuss possible solutions for the school system’s eight-month-long elementary school redistricting process which began with the School Board’s request to purchase the old Fredericksburg Christian School to house the county’s Northstar campus in June and will conclude in late February.
The School Board still hasn’t narrowed down their wishlist and criteria from the original 17 bullet points from previous redistricting efforts. They also did not direct Arc Bridge, the redistricting consulting company to include different criteria while redistricting students. Instead, Arc Bridge outlined the criteria that they were going to follow.
“We did not provide them with any direction or criteria,” said Scott Horan, Assistant Superintendent for Operations.
Under the criteria that Arc Bridge outlined, the redistricting process should balance enrollment across the county’s existing 17 elementary schools and, as much as they can, keep children from the same neighborhoods in the same schools.
The school division is considering two plans for its redistricting process. A total of 3,195 students would be affected if Plan A were to be chosen and 3,800 students would be affected if the School Board chose plan B.
The redistricting plans will take effect during the 2019-2020 school year. The School Board’s main goal is to limit school capacity to about 85 percent for the 2022-2023 school year. The board wants to get close to the 85-percent capacity in order to manage the county’s expected growth in the next 10 to 15 years.
“We don’t have to meet the standard 85-percent capacity goal, we can try to find other ways to redistrict to reduce the families impacted,” Superintendent Scott Kizner said.
The School Board has stated numerous times that neighborhoods that have been redistricted in the past four years can still be subject to the redistricting process but the School Board will try their best to avoid moving those neighborhoods.
The neighborhoods that have been redistricted recently:
- Cabin Creekwood
- Colonial Terrace
- Falmouth Village
- Hamlin Hills
- Hills of Aquia
- Leeland Heights
- Liberty Place
- Patriot’s Landing
- Port Aquia 186
- Ridge Point
- Staffordborough
- Sunningdale Meadows
- Woodstream
- The Manor at England Run
School Board asked if the consultant was using common sense instead of just trying to achieve the School Board’s 85-percent capacity goal when redistricting students to different schools.
“I think the consultants were more focused on meeting the 85-percent goal rather than common sense,” Chairwoman Patricia Healy said. “I hope common sense prevails. We shouldn’t move different areas to get to the correct numbers.”
In both Plan A and Plan B, some subdivisions are split up and into small islands requiring passing two or three closer elementary schools to get their districted elementary school. According to Healy, some students in her district that live across the street in the Hampton Oaks subdivision will be taken from Hampton Oaks Elementary sent to Kate Waller Barrett Elementary.
“If [residents in] neighborhoods are able to walk to school we must keep those communities together,” Garrisonville representative Pam Yueng said.
Yueng asked about building a new elementary school, which would be the county’s 18th, but that discussion was quickly shot down by other board members because the School Board won’t have the funds for another 10 to 20 years.
Yueng asked about adding trailer classrooms to schools across the county. The Board of Supervisors appropriated funds for a trailer for Hartwood Elementary to relieve the overcrowding in the school but the School Board voted against the appropriation. Yueng was one of the dissenters when the School Board voted on adding the “learning pod” in July.
Currently, there are no trailer classrooms at any Stafford public school.
The School Board could ask for more plans from Arc Bridge if they don’t feel comfortable on voting for either Plan A or Plan B.
The School Board will host another work session meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 9 am. After the work session, the board will host a special called meeting to inform the public, once again, about the redistricting process.
The School Board plans to approve the redistricting maps in late February.
STAFFORD — County teachers on are on tap for a five percent raise in this year’s budget instead of the two percent originally planned.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner unveiled his planned budget for FY 2020 that would begin on July 1. The requested budget will be around $328.5 million which is a 13 percent increase from the FY 2018 budget.
All school staff will see a five-percent raise while office and building administrators will receive a three-percent raise if his budget is approved.
The Stafford Education Association had originally asked Kizner for a five percent raise in November during a closed session meeting with the School Board.
“We have a lot of educators who are talking about how five percent would significantly change their lives,” SEA President Christian Peabody wrote in an email to Potomac Local. “They [teachers] are empowering each other and gradually becoming more vocal about speaking out to fight for their worth and their division.”
In Kizner’s budget, the expectation is that county schools will be able to “attract and retain the workforce and promote a positive working and learning experience for all involved.”
“This is a journey we have to collectively think of ways to make this a place people don’t want to leave,” Kizner said during his presentation to the School Board.
The total increase in staff salaries with the five percent raise will turn out to be $38.8 million. Kizner also plans to bump school nurses up to the planned teacher pay scale. He also plans to include referral bonuses for staff and tuition assistance for teachers who work to achieve masters degrees while working for the county.
“We, as a collective group, would like to try to remove any barriers from teachers coming to Stafford,” Kizner said.
The proposed budget also includes the addition of school counselors so that students can get more career, emotional, and mental health support from school staff. The ultimate goal is to bring down the ratio of counselors to one counselor to every 250, which is what the Virginia School Counselor Association recommends.
Kizner also requested that the school division to hire 27 more full-time teachers for the 2019-2020 school year.
In December, Gov. Ralph Northam proposed a five percent increase for all teachers in the state. Northam’s proposal is contingent on a funding match from local school districts would take effect on July 1, 2019. If the proposal were approved, it would be the state’s largest single-year raise in 15 years.
House of Delegates Speaker Kirk Cox (R-66) announced his plan to include the five percent teacher raise in the GOP’s budget that will be presented later this week. The increase in teacher pay won’t increase taxes in either budget.
Many teachers and activists took to the streets in front of the State Capitol for the Red for Education rally for an increase in state funding for public schools.
“I think our teachers deserve better raises than what they’ve gotten in the past,” Kizner said as he wrapped his presentation up.
The School Board is expected to approve the budget on April 30, 2019.
STAFFORD — The Stafford Education Association is pushing the county School Board to reschedule a teacher workday so instructors may go to Richmond to lobby lawmakers for higher wages.
The association wants the workday, which is used for teachers to finalize grades for the first semester moved to Monday, Jan. 28 from Tuesday, Jan. 29. The planned workday has been on the books since last year when the school division approved its annual calendar.
Monday marks the SEA’s Virginia Education Association’s annual Lobby Day, also known as “Red for Education.” If the workday is moved, teachers would be able to attend and would and not have to use a sick day, says SEA spokesman Al Watkins.
Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner, who’s also an SEA member, has already approved a “professional day” leave for the 35 teachers across the county that have been selected to attend the rally in Richmond. Kizner will also be attending the rally.
Kizner and the School Board did not offer public comment about swapping the teacher workday.
“Red for Education day is extremely important to securing funds for our school system,” Kizner said during a School Board meeting Tuesday. “State funding for schools has not been in a positive trajectory.”
“I knew this request would inconvenience some folks in Stafford,” Watkins said. “The potential benefits outweigh the inconveniences. This is one of the most important days I have been a part of in my time in Stafford.”
According to Watkins, over 400 school employees have been surveyed and would like to attend the “Red for Education” event.
The selected attendees will meet with their locally elected leaders before the rally to discuss a plan for more funding to Stafford schools.
“I came from Arizona where school funding was an issue and teachers went on strike,” said Matt Lentz, Red for Education spokesman. “I ask the School Board for their support.”
The SEA has already asked Kizner to include a five percent across-the-board pay raise for all school employees.
“We have a lot of Educators who are talking about how 5% would significantly change their lives,” SEA President Christian Peabody wrote in an email to Potomac Local.
Members of the Prince William Education Association also plan to make the trip down to meet with their representatives and participate in the rally on the Capitol grounds.
“Virginia public schools are underfunded, and we are taking our case straight to the General Assembly to demand that our elected officials support our students and our schools,” states Riley O’Casey, PWEA president in a press release.
O’Casey went on to say state support for local public schools has declined:
- Since the Great Recession, Virginia’s state funding of K-12 schools has declined 9% when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, student enrollments have risen.
- Virginia is the 12th wealthiest state but ranks 42nd in per-pupil state funding.
- The gap between what Virginia teachers make and the national average is at an all-time high. Virginia teachers currently earn $9,218 under the national average, ranking the state 34th in the country.
O’Casey says PWCS will benefit from greater state funding of local schools—and that’s well worth the trip to Richmond.
In December, Governor Ralph Northam proposed a 5 percent increase for all teachers in the state. Northam’s proposal is contingent on a funding match from local school districts would take effect on July 1. If the proposal were approved, it would be the state’s largest single-year raise in 15 years.
“The SEA’s plan predates the Governor’s by months and includes every Educator,” Peabody said.
Northam also announced his plan to throw more money at the state’s schools, this time school counselors would be receiving extra funds. Northam says that a $36 million increase would allow a better student to counselor ratio. The Virginia School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of one counselor to every 250 students.
STAFFORD — The Stafford County School Board held its first town hall for the parents of elementary-aged students to hear about the county’s elementary school redistricting plans.
The redistricting meetings come after discussions the School Board had during Capital Improvement Plan negotiations in June 2018, when it and the county’s Board of Supervisors agreed to re-district schools if the Board of Supervisors purchased the old Fredericksburg Christian Schools campus, located in North Stafford to house the division’s head start program.
The school division bought the building for $7.2 million in December 2018.
The School Board has two different plans to choose from — Plan A and plan B. Each elementary school will be affected in different ways. For example, some Aquia Harbour residents won’t be attending the newly rebuilt Ann E. Moncure Elementary School opening in Fall 2019. Those students will be sent to Hampton Oaks Elementary School.
A total of 3,195 students would be affected if plan A were to be chosen and 3,800 students would be affected if the School Board chose plan B.
The redistricting plans will take effect during the 2019-2020 school year. The School Board’s main goal is to limit school capacity to or around 85 percent for the 2022-2023 school year.
Despite the School Board’s best efforts, it appears that some schools will still be a few percentage points over the main goal of 85. Schools that are 88 percent or higher are:
- Anthony Burns (88.44%)
- Hampton Oaks (88.45%)
- Anne Moncure (90.19%)
No elementary schools will be under 81 percent capacity in Plan A
Schools that will be at 88 percent or higher in four years will be:
- Kate Barrett (88.41%)
- Conway (88.64%)
- Falmouth (88.33%)
Hartwood and Margaret Brent elementary schools are projected to be under 80 percent capacity during the 2022-2023 school year in Plan B.
Currently, in the elementary schools, there are 3,000 vacant seats throughout the county.
Elementary schools over capacity include:
- Margaret Brent
- Anthony Burns
- Hartwood
- Stafford
- Widewater
Garrisonville and Rock Hill elementary schools are the only schools under 70 percent capacity.
Many parents were concerned about the already long bus rides for their children, while others who attended the public meeting at Drew Middle School asked how long their child’s bus ride would be if they were relocated to another school.
“We have not looked at each bus route yet,” said Scott Horan, assistant superintendent for operations.
According to Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner, some staff such as ESL teachers or Special Education teachers could be moved from their current school and placed in a school with higher percentages of special needs students but the administration will remain the same in each school.
The most recent round of school redistricting occurred in Stafford in 2015. One parent, concerned about their child being potentially moved again and asked if those students were exempt from being moved for the second time in four years.
“Students who were moved during the 2015 elementary school redistricting are not exempt from the process but the School Board will do their best not to move those affected in 2015,” Kizner said.
The School Board had originally wanted to include a redistricting committee in the process. They decided against the committee after a second thought.
“The School Board wanted to minimize conflicts of interests such as friendships and outside influences,” Kizner said.
Rising fifth graders will be grandfathered in and allowed to continue going to the original school they were at during fourth grade.
The School Board will hold a final meeting for public input at H.H. Poole Middle School on January 23 at 7 p.m.
The School Board will make their final decision on the redistricting plan in late February or early March.
“I have decided to run for Supervisor to continue serving and fighting for the residents of Rock Hill. In my three years on the Planning Commission, I have fought for every single one of my residents’ issues, as my own, not overlooking even the most controversial. Now I want to expand that fight for my residents onto the Board of Supervisors where we see more than approving/denying land uses," Vanuch penned in a press release. "There are a host of issues coming to the board that could forever change our county and I will not allow special interests to dictate my vote. I want to find solutions to ensure development pays for itself and that we find ways to work with state and federal officials to get real solutions to the constant traffic congestion this county sees daily. I sit in the same traffic and have the same frustrations in lack of infrastructure. I have seen Stafford go from a one-lane road on route 610 to the congestion it is today. The residents of Rock Hill are tired of the same old promises, lack of transparency, and backroom deals.”
Vanuch, a Stafford County native and Virginia Wesleyan College graduate, has served on the Planning Commission since 2016 when Maurer appointed her. Vanuch was re-elected as Chairwoman for the Planning Commission during their meeting on Jan. 9. Vanuch leads a Stafford County-based Capitol Hill Solutions public affairs firm. She has also worked for Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Vivus Inc, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. She's married to her husband, David. Maurer is not resigning but will finish her term on the Board once it ends Dec. 31. “We have a lot of controversial topics such as the Capital Improvement Plan that I look forward to working on later this year,” Maurer said. The other Board members offered thanks for Maurer’s service on the Board and support for her decision. “Wendy, you’ve done a great job for three years,” Falmouth Supervisor Meg Bohmke said. “I’m proud of you for putting yourself first.” “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing you and working with you for 20 years now, and it comes to the time when I sit down next to you and decide to not to run again,” George Washington Supervisor Tom Coen said. “You will be sorely missed on this Board.” Bohme and Coen offered support for Vanuch during their portion of the Board’s comments. “Crystal would do a great job in your [Maurer’s] seat,” Bohmke said. “I can’t speak highly enough of Ms. Vanuch,” Coen said. “It’s always nice seeing my former students rise up.”STAFFORD -- Ferry Farm Elementary School will be getting a $10 million renovation.
The Stafford County School Board chose this option instead of rebuilding the school from the ground up. The School Board voted to start phase one of the renovation during a special called meeting on Dec. 4, 2018.
The 61-year-old elementary school will receive a multi-step renovation after the Board of Supervisors in May refused to give the School Board funds in May to pay for a full-scale rebuild.
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STAFFORD -- The turnover rate at the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has long been a problem.
In the county’s 2040 strategic plan, leaders plan to reduce public safety turnover by developing policies to discourage staff from searching for new jobs.
“The turnover of personnel is a significant issue because deputy sheriffs receive basic, continuing and specialty training at a significant effort and cost to the county and the sheriff’s office,” Sheriff David Decatur wrote in an email to Potomac Local.
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STAFFORD -- The purchase of a shuttered Fredericksburg Christian Schools campus triggered a new round elementary school redistricting.
Schools officials earlier this month held an information session with parents about elementary redistricting at Rodney Thompson Middle School. The session was held to inform parents who have children in overcrowded elementary schools that their students may soon be moved to another school.
The Board of Supervisors and the School Board agreed to re-district schools if the Board of Supervisors purchased the old Fredericksburg Christian Schools campus, located in North Stafford to house the division’s headstart program. The school division this month bought the building for $7.2 million.
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STAFFORD -- Teachers and school faculty could see a five percent increase in their yearly salaries if a new proposal is included in the School Board’s budget.
The Stafford Education Association proposed an across-the-board increase for all employees during a budget committee meeting with the School Board held in early November.
“We have to focus on the priorities when it comes to the budget,” said Jeff Trigger, teacher and SEA member. “If we desire to retain our best educators, then it’s time to pay them as if we want them to stay.”
