Stafford County announces that all three major rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service, have affirmed Stafford’s AAA bond ratings.
Stafford remains among only 47 counties nationally and 11 counties in Virginia to achieve a triple AAA bond rating – the highest credit rating available. Fitch cited the County’s robust revenue framework and growth prospects, low long-term liability burden, and outstanding gap-closing capacity as pivotal in their decision.
“Stafford maintaining a triple AAA bond rating reflects the strong financial stewardship implemented by the Board of Supervisors and the leadership from County Administrator Randal Vosburg and his team,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Pamela Yeung. “Stafford County will continue to be one of the best financially managed counties in the United States.”
Favorable credit ratings enable the County to borrow at the lowest-possible interest rates, saving money by lowering Stafford’s debt liability. The savings in interest costs allow the County to invest more in schools, infrastructure, transportation and other projects.
“I’m tremendously proud of the Stafford County team’s ability to maintain these strong financial ratings by Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s. The savings in interest costs means we can apply those dollars towards meeting our commitment to the community’s needs and outstanding service delivery,” said County Administrator Randal Vosburg. “Our team remains dedicated to prioritizing good, sound financial management policies and practices for the community we serve.”
Bond ratings for corporations or government agencies are like credit scores. The three primary rating agencies, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch, provide independent evaluations of a bond issuer’s financial strength and ability to repay a bond’s principal and interest. An ‘AAA,’ or ‘Triple-A’ bond rating indicates a high level of confidence that a locality can meet its obligations today and in the future.
Start your year right by giving back to the community! Keep Prince William Beautiful is holding a Community Cleanup February 25, 10am-1pm at Dale City Farmers Market lot, 14090 Gemini Way Dale City 22193. The cleanup will focus on removing trash from the commuter parking lot where the market is held weekly. Volunteers age 18+ welcome, volunteers under 18 must volunteer with an adult. Rain Date: March 4. You’ll enjoy being out in the fresh air with family/friends as you help clean up this lot! Please visit bit.ly/3Hcmokw to sign up, email [email protected] to learn more.
They Served Us, Now You Can Serve Them! Volunteer Prince William needs Volunteer Drivers age 21+ who can provide transportation for veterans and their spouse/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, retail and houses of worship. Volunteers must pass criminal background and driving record background checks, have a valid Virginia driver’s license and have a vehicle liability insurance policy. You’ll feel great as you make new friends while providing transportation to veterans who otherwise struggle to have their daily and medical needs met! Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
BEACON for English Language & Literacy is recruiting Volunteer Teachers, Tutors and Substitutes for their spring classes, March 20-June 8. Volunteers are provided with a formal textbook curriculum that incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Volunteers use the textbook to develop a lesson plan that provides additional opportunities for practice that emphasizes conversation practice and student engagement. You’ll feel great as you help adults gain the confidence and learn the language skills needed to get a job, communicate with their children’s teachers, talk with their doctor, or pursue higher education! Apply today – please visit beaconliteracy.org/get-involved/volunteer-application/ or email [email protected] for more information.
Birthright of Woodbridge is looking for volunteers to offer loving, confidential, non-judgmental support to those who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Many volunteer opportunities are available, full training and mentorship is provided for volunteers so you can best help the women who need you! Volunteers are needed both mornings and afternoons. Please email [email protected] or call 703.583.1178 for more information.
Catholic Charities’ Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program needs Volunteer Mentors age 18+ to work with students for at least six months and longer. You will transform a young person’s life and build relationships that will last! Please visit bit.ly/3DhNbe3 to learn more and apply (Once on the site, click on the green ‘sign-up’ button to apply). Please email [email protected] to learn more.
The dedicated staff at Grace United Methodist Church needs volunteers to be Teachers and Helpers for their next session of English as a Second Language (ESL), April 4 thru June 8. Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm-9pm at the church located at 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas 20110. You’ll feel wonderful as you help learners improve their English reading, writing and speaking skills! Please email [email protected] to learn how you can make a difference.
Save the Date! The awesome folks at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County are hosting a Women’s Day Build on April 27! The project is to be announced, but get those hammers, saws and nails ready to do some good work benefiting vulnerable families in the community; this sounds like a wonderful team building opportunity for your office! Please email [email protected] to learn more.
Is your office, club or group looking for a community service project? The hard-working staff at Northern Virginia Food Rescue is looking for groups to hold drives to collect fresh produce to feed local families facing food insecurity! It’s a great winter project, and you’ll be helping a lot of families have access to nutritious fruits and veggies to stay healthy! Please email [email protected] to learn more.
Mark Your Calendars! After a two-year hiatus, the NVFS Strikes for Stronger Families Bowl-a-Thon is returning on March 18! This in-person event will be held at Bowl America Bull Run, 10641 Balls Ford Road, Manassas; funds raised will support the SERVE campus. It’s fun for the whole family, so gather up your team of 5 bowlers and sign up today! Please visit nvfs.org/events/bowl-a-thon/ for more information, email [email protected] for more information and to register your team.
Pink Space Theory has all sorts of volunteer opportunities open for talented individuals! Newsletter Content Contributor, STEM Lesson Creator, Grant Writer and STEM Speaker are just a few of the opportunities available to get young minds excited about learning! Please email [email protected] for more information.
If you’re passionate about fighting hunger, then SERVE wants to meet you! Their Hunger Resource Center in Manassas needs volunteer Food Assistance Specialists age 16+ on weekdays to prepare food packages, welcome and assist clients in the self-serve shopping area, check clients out before they leave, stock shelves and more. You’ll join a dedicated, hard-working team of volunteers relieving hunger in the community! Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds, Spanish speaking is a plus. Please email [email protected] for more information.
If you’re an Honorably Discharged or Retired Veteran wanting to help other veterans, here’s a terrific opportunity for you! The Veteran’s Treatment Docket, a program of Prince William County Government Criminal Justice Services, is looking for volunteers age 21+ to act as Veteran Mentors to engage, encourage and empower fellow veterans that are involved in the criminal justice system. Duties include be available by phone/video or other means to assist docket participants and be there for your veteran. This may include nights and weekends. A 12-month commitment is required; training is provided. You’ll feel great as you share your own veteran experiences and help a fellow vet get their life and affairs back on track again! Please visit bit.ly/3HBNZxe for details, email [email protected] for more information.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Greetings, Prince William – Mark Your Calendars! After a two-year hiatus, the NVFS Strikes for Stronger Families Bowl-a-Thon is returning on March 18! This in-person event will be held at Bowl America Bull Run, 10641 Balls Ford Road, Manassas; funds raised will support the SERVE campus. It’s fun for the whole family, so gather up your team of 5 bowlers and sign up today! Please visit www.nvfs.org/events/bowl-a-thon/ for more information, email [email protected] for more information and to register your team.
They Served Us, Now You Can Serve Them! Volunteer Prince William needs Volunteer Drivers age 21+ who can provide transportation for veterans and their spouse/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, retail and houses of worship. Volunteers must pass criminal background and driving record background checks, have a valid Virginia driver’s license and have a vehicle liability insurance policy. You’ll feel great as you make new friends while providing transportation to veterans who otherwise struggle to have their daily and medical needs met! Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
BEACON for English Language & Literacy is recruiting Volunteer Teachers, Tutors and Substitutes for their spring classes, March 20-June 8. Volunteers are provided with a formal textbook curriculum that incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Volunteers use the textbook to develop a lesson plan that provides additional opportunities for practice that emphasizes conversation practice and student engagement. You’ll feel great as you help adults gain the confidence and learn the language skills needed to get a job, communicate with their children’s teachers, talk with their doctor, or pursue higher education! Apply today – please visit beaconliteracy.org/get-involved/volunteer-application/ or email [email protected] for more information.
Birthright of Woodbridge is looking for volunteers to offer loving, confidential, non-judgmental support to those who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Many volunteer opportunities are available, full training and mentorship is provided for volunteers so you can best help the women who need you! Volunteers are needed both mornings and afternoons. Please email [email protected] or call 703.583.1178 for more information.
The wonderful staff at Boxes of Basics has posted their volunteer sign up schedule for February! Volunteers age 10+ are needed to help sort clothing donations, select outfits for a specific child, and pack a box of basic clothing for a child. They also need donations of gently used children’s clothing. You’ll feel great as you help a low-income child get through these cold winter months with warm clothing and maybe even a warm coat! To volunteer, please visit bit.ly/3J3dM1T. Please visit their website at www.boxesofbasics.org to learn more.
Catholic Charities’ Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program needs Volunteer Mentors age 18+ to work with students for at least six months and longer. You will transform a young person’s life and build relationships that will last! Please visit bit.ly/3DhNbe3 to learn more and apply (Once on the site, click on the green ‘sign-up’ button to apply). Please email [email protected] to learn more.
Are you interested in being a disaster volunteer? The City of Manassas CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) needs volunteers who can help with city events and respond to emergencies. A training course for new members will start in February and will end with a live disaster exercise. Your work will help your community stay safe, especially if a disaster should strike! Please visit www.manassasva.gov/cert to find out more and to apply.
Save the Date! The awesome folks at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County are hosting a Women’s Day Build on April 27! The project is to be announced, but get those hammers, saws and nails ready to do some good work benefiting vulnerable families in the community; this sounds like a wonderful team building opportunity for your office! Please email [email protected] to learn more.
Is your office, club or group looking for a community service project? The hard-working staff at Northern Virginia Food Rescue is looking for groups to hold drives to collect fresh produce to feed local families facing food insecurity! It’s a great winter project, and you’ll be helping a lot of families have access to nutritious fruits and veggies to stay healthy! Please email [email protected] to learn more.
If you’re passionate about fighting hunger, then SERVE wants to meet you! Their Hunger Resource Center in Manassas needs volunteer Food Assistance Specialists age 16+ on weekdays to prepare food packages, welcome and assist clients in the self-serve shopping area, check clients out before they leave, stock shelves and more. You’ll join a dedicated, hard-working team of volunteers relieving hunger in the community! Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds, Spanish speaking is a plus. Please email [email protected] for more information.
If you’re an Honorably Discharged or Retired Veteran wanting to help other veterans, here’s a terrific opportunity for you! The Veteran’s Treatment Docket, a program of Prince William County Government Criminal Justice Services, is looking for volunteers age 21+ to act as Veteran Mentors to engage, encourage and empower fellow veterans that are involved in the criminal justice system. Duties include be available by phone/video or other means to assist docket participants and be there for your veteran. This may include nights and weekends. A 12-month commitment is required; training is provided. You’ll feel great as you share your own veteran experiences and help a fellow vet get their life and affairs back on track again! Please visit bit.ly/3HBNZxe for details, email [email protected] for more information.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
As some of you are no doubt aware, after 20 years in the Town of Occoquan, Mom's Apple Pie is closing this weekend.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators has designated Kerrydale Elementary in Prince William County and Bayside Sixth Grade Campus School in Virginia Beach as National ESEA Distinguished Schools for 2022-2023.
Kerrydale Elementary was selected for closing achievement gaps between student groups. The school serves a population of 333 students. Of these students, 12.6% receive special education services, 66% are economically disadvantaged, and 53% are English language learners.
Bayside Sixth Grade Campus was selected for exceptional student performance for two consecutive years. Seventy-five percent of the school’s 317 students are economically disadvantaged. Bayside is the only sixth-grade campus in Virginia Beach.
“Congratulations to Kerrydale Elementary and Bayside Sixth Grade Campus’s students, teachers, principals, staff, and communities for being recognized as National ESEA Distinguished Schools and for their success in raising student achievement,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said. “This is an especially significant designation given that under our federal accountability system, elementary schools must meet annual benchmarks for increasing the percentage of students achieving grade-level proficiency in reading and mathematics.”
Both schools will be recognized during the 2023 National ESEA Conference, February 1-4, 2023, in Indianapolis.
ESEA is the abbreviation for the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (most recently reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015). The law requires states to establish long-term and interim goals for increasing student achievement in reading and mathematics.
Title I of ESEA provides funds to all of Virginia’s school divisions for supplemental educational support to eligible schools. The focus of this program is to raise the achievement level of students at risk of academic failure due to poverty and other factors.
Matthew Britt's Germanna Community College Fall Commencement speech began this way:
"I'm going to start this right: My name is Matt, and I am grateful. I am a recovering alcoholic, a drug addict, an addiction survivor, and a liver transplant recipient...
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Today, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order #24, banning the use of certain Chinese-owned mobile phone applications and websites on state government technology.
The Executive Order bans TikTok and WeChat, and any other applications developed by ByteDance Limited or Tencent Holdings Limited on state government devices and wireless (WIFI) networks and requires businesses who contract with the state government to also prohibit the use of those applications on state-owned devices or IT infrastructure. The Executive Order applies to all Executive Offices and Executive Branch Agencies.
“TikTok and WeChat data are a channel to the Chinese Communist Party, and their continued presence represents a threat to national security, the intelligence community, and the personal privacy of every single American,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are taking this step today to secure state government devices and wireless networks from the threat of infiltration and ensure that we safeguard the data and cybersecurity of state government.”
“All Americans must be vigilant to stop infiltration by the CCP and all hostile governments and entities who wish the United States harm,” said Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
“Not only does TikTok pose a threat to national security and consumer privacy, but studies have shown that it negatively impacts the mental health of our youth,”?said Attorney General Jason Miyares.?”In March, I joined a bipartisan coalition of 43 other attorneys general to investigate TikTok’s physical and mental impact on children. As this investigation continues, I am glad that Governor Youngkin is addressing the serious security risks TikTok poses for the Commonwealth.”
Executive Order #24 can be found here.
By Prince William County Public Schools
The Freedom High School football team secured the first state title in school history with its 48-14 win over James Madison High School in the VHSL Class 6 state football championship. This caps off an undefeated season for the Eagles.
"It feels great." said Darryl Overton, Freedom High football head coach, in an interview with Hi Def High School. "After all the battles you fight on the field and all the ones you fight off, [the championship] solidifies what you've been doing. I couldn't be more proud and happier."
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Stafford County and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Crystal Vanuch, Rock Hill District, are proud to release the annual "State of the County" video for 2022.
Stafford focused this year on advancing its strategic priorities for the community. Highlights of the year include a 15% pay raise to deputies with the rank of 1st Sergeant and below, one of the most significant transfers to Stafford County Public Schools ever, the construction of a new water tank, conducting a Community Survey, the launch of AskBlu - a new customer service online tool and the dedication of a new funding stream dedicated to transportation projects.
