In celebration of Theatre in Our Schools Month, the Stafford County School Board has honored two of its most inspiring theatre educators, Michael D’Addario of Stafford High School and Lisa Cover Tucci of Colonial Forge High School.
Both teachers were recognized during the March 11, 2025, School Board meeting, where board members praised their commitment to student growth, creative excellence, and community engagement through the performing arts.
Mr. Michael D’Addario has built a reputation at Stafford High School for producing performances that rival professional stages. Under his direction, officials said that students gain hands-on experience in every aspect of theatre—from acting and script analysis to lighting, sound design, and stage management.
His students have earned top honors at regional theatre festivals, and alumni frequently return to share how his mentorship shaped their college and career paths.
Ms. Lisa Cover Tucci, the longtime theatre teacher at Colonial Forge High School, is equally beloved. Her productions often tackle complex themes, giving students a platform to explore identity, empathy, and the world around them.
Her program has grown significantly over the years, drawing students from all walks of life who come together to create meaningful art.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article contained misattributed quotes that have been removed.
The county's current noise ordinance, which hasn't been significantly updated since the 1990s, is being reviewed after residents pointed out the low-frequency noise produced by data centers.
"I've never seen an issue unite people across political parties, across every box, you can think of when it comes to the concerns and issues that have been raised by [the data centers]," Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega said in the Board's March 18 meeting.
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Public transportation in Northern Virginia is seeing a significant rebound as ridership continues to climb on both Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and OmniRide commuter and local buses. However, transit leaders warn that increased demand may soon outpace available resources, especially for locally funded services.
During its March 2025 meeting, the VRE Operations Board reported that ridership in February topped 152,000 trips—despite only 19 service days and early-month weather disruptions. March figures are on pace to surpass that total significantly. With only 14 service days logged by mid-month, March had already recorded more than 162,000 trips. Average weekday ridership has climbed to more than 11,500 trips.
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It was a night of celebration at the Manassas School Board meeting as students from across the city were recognized for excellence in academics, fine arts, and public speaking.
The evening opened with a standing ovation for this year’s Spelling Bee champions, including Charlotte Vargas, an eighth-grader at Metz Middle School, who emerged as the division champion.
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While most of the budget remains unchanged from the initial presentation on Feb. 25, MCPS received clarity from the state — which provides 50% of the funding for the budget — on how much it would receive.
According to Taft Kelly, MCPS' director of finance, said an additional $330,000 would be given to the district. But, Kelly warned that Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget has not yet been approved and likely won't be until April or May.
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Dozens of Stafford County residents packed the chambers Tuesday night during a special-called meeting of the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the proposed $1.015 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget — and the tax increase that may come with it.
The meeting featured a detailed budget presentation by Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light, followed by a public hearing where residents delivered emotional appeals both for and against the proposed increase in the county’s real estate tax rate.
The Board recently voted to advertise a five-cent tax increase, which would raise the rate from the current $0.89 to $0.94 per $100 of assessed property value. If adopted, the increase would mean the average Stafford homeowner would pay an additional $229 per year in real estate taxes.
During the presentation, CFO Andrea Light explained that while the total proposed budget exceeds $1 billion, only a fraction of that is truly flexible. Over 59% of all county expenditures—about $669 million—go toward the school system, with much of the rest tied up in state-mandated services, utilities, and transportation.
Only about $209 million falls under the general government budget that the Board of Supervisors can directly allocate.
“When people hear ‘a billion-dollar budget,’ they think we can fund everything,” said Chairman Deontay Diggs. “But the reality is, a lot of that funding is restricted or already spoken for.”
The proposed increase is intended to help fund rising costs across the county, including public safety staffing, health insurance increases, debt service, and school system needs.
School Funding Tops the List
Stafford County Public Schools has requested full county funding to keep pace with enrollment growth, aging infrastructure, and competitive salary demands. Multiple speakers urged the board to deliver.
“I’m willing to pay a little more in taxes to ensure our students get the education they deserve,” said Don Gray, a George Washington District resident. “We need to attract and retain quality teachers and build schools where they’re needed.”
Michelle Wickman, a former Stafford teacher and single mother, said, “We can’t say we’re part of Northern Virginia but not tax like they do. I’m not rich, but I’m willing to pay more because I believe in this community.”
Abram Marsh, a Hartwood resident and Air Force veteran, spoke passionately about values. “Officers eat last,” he said. “We must do what’s necessary to ensure our children have the same opportunities we did.”
Nonprofits Plead for Reinstated Funds
Several local nonprofits voiced concern over proposed cuts or eliminations in county support:
Legal Aid Works, which provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents, was zeroed out in the current proposal after decades of support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Fredericksburg saw its allocation cut by more than half, from around $6,000 to $2,980.
Fredericksburg SPCA touted a $7,000 investment last year that helped reduce shelter cat euthanasias by 17% and asked the board to help continue its life-saving work.
Not all were in favor of the proposed hike.
Mary Hanson, speaking on behalf of her elderly parents, said, “There are seniors who’ve taken out reverse mortgages or opened their homes to adult children just to survive. They can’t afford another tax increase.”
Jenny Solt, of the Rock Hill District, added: “Families don’t get to raise their neighbors’ rent when money’s tight. The government shouldn’t either.”
Some speakers expressed frustration that business growth hasn’t translated into tax relief. “We’ve got Walmarts, Targets, Amazon, warehouses. Why are we still shouldering the burden?” asked Todd Hanson.
Others, like Renee Kendall, questioned whether more money would improve outcomes. “Nearly 60% of the budget already goes to schools, and we’re still talking about low test scores,” she said. “There’s something deeper going on, and it’s not just money.”
The Board of Supervisors is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate on April 15, with a vote on the final FY2026 budget scheduled before the May 1 deadline.
Chairman Diggs concluded the meeting by thanking the community. “Whether you’re for, against, or somewhere in the middle, your voice matters,” he said.
The Fredericksburg Film Festival (FFF) is back for its second year, promising an impressive lineup of films from around the world, including selections from prestigious festivals like Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca.
Set to take place from April 16-20, 2025, this year’s event will highlight top-tier independent films, Virginia-based filmmakers, and a growing arts culture in Fredericksburg.
The festival’s programming director, Ryan Cudahy, said the event started as a passion project while he worked for the Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Office. After early struggles—including an initial venue closure—Cudahy and Dalton McColo of 1108 Media worked to bring the festival to life. The community’s response has been overwhelmingly supportive, helping to solidify Fredericksburg’s place in Virginia’s indie film scene.
FFF will feature films that have made waves at major festivals, including:
- “Beautyiosity” by Zac Solberg, screened at Cannes Film Festival.
- “Border Hopper” and “Somebody Cares,” both Sundance selections. Screenwriter Brian Grove of Somebody Cares will attend the festival.
- “Beacon,” a Tribeca Film Festival selection starring Academy Award nominee Demián Bichir.
- “The French Italian,” featuring SNL alum Aristotle Atari, with the director attending the festival.
Beyond internationally recognized films, Virginia filmmakers will take center stage. Notable entries include:
- “500 Fireflies” (shot in Staunton, VA) and Dear Luke, Love Me (shot in Richmond).
- “Calamity and Mercy,” a documentary about Ukrainian refugees, was directed by Woodbridge native Daniel W. Smith.
- “Waiting for April” and “Memory Project,” two shorts by Virginia filmmaker Timothy Parsons.
Cudahy emphasized the importance of showcasing local talent alongside global award winners. “The Virginia filmmakers this year really stepped up and made some incredible films, and we are so excited to screen those,” he said.
Screenings and events will occur across multiple venues, including Courtyard Marriott Downtown on Caroline Street, Red Dragon Brewery, and Reign on Princess Anne Street. Opening night (April 16) will feature a special documentary screening of “The Body Politic”, focused on Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, followed by a Q&A session with activist Erica Bridgeford, moderated by Fredericksburg Mayor Terry Devine.
On Saturday, April 19, FFF will host a block party at 4 p.m. in the Red Dragon Brewery parking lot, featuring a live performance by Fredericksburg-based band Virginia Man. The festival will also include after-parties at Ironclad Inn, Curitiba Art Café, and Wild Hair Cider.
Though Richmond and Charlottesville are often known for their arts scenes, Cudahy believes Fredericksburg is ready to embrace a major film festival. He pointed to the success of the Middleburg Film Festival in nearby Loudoun County, which attracts top-tier films and talent. “We looked at Middleburg and said, why can’t Fredericksburg do the same thing?” he said.
The city’s expanding arts scene, supported by galleries like Pawn Shop and LibertyTown and organizations like the Fredericksburg Arts Commission, has helped drive interest in independent film. “Fredericksburg is growing as an arts hub, and FFF is a great contribution to that,” Cudahy added.
Ticketing details and a full schedule will be available on the festival’s website.
Stafford County leaders are responding to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent veto of SB1307, a bill that would have allowed counties and cities across Virginia to hold voter referendums on implementing a 1% local sales and use tax dedicated to public school construction and renovation projects.
The legislation, introduced by Senator Jeremy McPike (D-29, Prince William, Stafford), sought to add Stafford County to the list of localities eligible to consider the tax through a ballot referendum. McPike criticized the governor’s decision on social media, calling it a move that blocks local communities from choosing how to fund needed school improvements.
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Drivers should expect delays on Route 28 (Centreville Road) as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins repairs to the bridge over Bull Run, located at the Fairfax County and Prince William County line.
Weather permitting, the work will involve single-lane closures between March 31 and April 24, during daytime hours:
Southbound Route 28 (Centreville Road) right lane closures:
- March 31–April 3
- April 7–10
- 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
Northbound Route 28 right lane closures:
- April 14–17
- April 21–24
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day
VDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes and use caution in work zones.
Manassas to Strike Bypass from Transportation Plans
The bridge repairs come just as the City of Manassas is working to officially remove the Route 28 Bypass project from its long-term transportation planning documents. During the March 24, 2025, City Council meeting, City Manager Steven Burke told elected leaders:
“We are developing opportunities for Council’s consideration regarding the elimination of the Route 28 Bypass Project.”
The bypass — once intended to redirect traffic away from city streets through a new highway in the floodplain west of Manassas — was canceled earlier this year after mounting environmental concerns, ballooning costs, and sustained community opposition. The bypass was slated to take over 50 homes by extending Godwin Drive across the Bull Run to Fairfax County.
Vega: “Let’s Widen the Road We Have”
Following the cancelation, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega issued a directive in late February urging local and state officials to focus on widening Route 28 along its current footprint rather than building new roadways.
“The people along Route 28 have waited long enough for relief,” Vega said. “Let’s widen the road we have.”
Vega’s proposal includes:
- Expanding the road to three lanes in each direction
- Installing new traffic signals
- Adding sidewalks and crosswalks to improve safety
- Vega also urged Prince William County transportation staff to redirect funding originally allocated for the bypass to the new widening plan, marking a significant shift in the region’s transportation priorities.
VRE Planning Tied to Route 28 Corridor
Meanwhile, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) coordinates closely with the SJR 28 Moves legislative subcommittee, which studies long-term transportation and transit options for the Route 28 corridor.
During its March board meeting, VRE staff said the agency’s System Plan 2050 will feed directly into the subcommittee’s recommendations, expected by the end of this year. The effort could result in legislation to fund multi-modal solutions, including bus and rail improvements, along the busy corridor.
