Schools

Thinking About Teaching? School Divisions Still Have Openings as the First Day Nears

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

STAFFORD, Va. – The window to become a new teacher in our area is closing, but school divisions are still hiring as the first day of the 2025–26 school year approaches.

In Stafford County, just over 120 licensed staff positions remained open as of late June. Of those, 98 are classroom teaching roles, while the rest include specialists like counselors. “Special education across all grades and elementary positions are our highest-need areas,” said Patrick Byrnett, the division’s Chief Talent Officer.

Go to Thinking About Teaching? School Divisions Still Have Openings as the First Day Nears Read more

Forest Park High Earns National Green Flag for Environmental Leadership

By Jazbia Chaudhry

The National Wildlife Federation and EcoSchools U.S. awarded Forest Park High School the Green Flag, making it the first school in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to receive this prestigious recognition. The award highlights the school’s commitment to sustainability education and promoting positive environmental change within the community.

For Ashley Tayon, the school’s sustainability coordinator, and her students, the Green Flag was the main goal for the year. “It was truly an honor to be part of the new sustainability movement within PWCS,” Tayon stated in a press release, adding that the achievement was a collaborative effort among students, staff, and community partners. Their initiatives included collecting data, developing action plans, and diverting 1,600 pounds of waste from landfills.

Go to Forest Park High Earns National Green Flag for Environmental Leadership Read more

Manassas City School Board Approves 7% Staff Salary Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Manassas City Public School Board. [Courtesy of MCPS]

Throughout a tight budget cycle, the Board was unsure if they would be able to fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from both City Council and the Commonwealth. Many Board members had expressed a desire for a 7% salary increase to match other neighboring jurisdictions.

Prince William County Schools, for example, came to an agreement with the Prince William Education Association for a historic $160 million investment over a two-year period. This results in a 7% wage increase in fiscal year 2026.

Go to Manassas City School Board Approves 7% Staff Salary Increase Read more

Huser Named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Abigail Huser, a life science teacher and department lead at Metz Middle School, has been named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year. Known for her energy, leadership, and dedication, Huser is being recognized for going the extra mile to support students’ academic and personal growth.

Huser joined MCPS in 2022 and quickly became a mentor, coach, and instructional leader. From translating lessons for multilingual learners to coaching the volleyball team, she brings creativity and heart to everything she does. Metz Principal Juliet Finnegan called her “the teacher every student hopes to have,” praising her ability to create a classroom culture rooted in curiosity and respect.

Go to Huser Named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Read more

Prince William Schools Urge Families to Update Bus Plans for 2025–26 to Improve Service

By Potomac Local News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County Public Schools is asking families to notify the division whether their students will require bus transportation for the upcoming 2025–26 school year, a move aimed at improving routing efficiency and service reliability.

While some families may see this as an “opt-in” process similar to what neighboring Stafford County implemented earlier this year, PWCS says that is not the case.

Go to Prince William Schools Urge Families to Update Bus Plans for 2025–26 to Improve Service Read more

Manassas City Schools Employees May Get Nearly 7% Salary Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Manassas City Public Schools Board approved its new budget on June 10.

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees may get an additional 1.5% salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, pending School Board approval on June 24.

At the beginning of the budget process in February, the MCPS Board wasn’t able to even fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from City Council and the Commonwealth.

Go to Manassas City Schools Employees May Get Nearly 7% Salary Increase Read more

Manassas School Board Debates Grading Policy Over Zeroes and Student Accountability

By Potomac Local News

MANASSAS, Va. – A spirited discussion emerged at the June 5 Manassas City School Board work session as board members debated whether the district should allow teachers to assign zeroes to students who fail to turn in assignments.

The proposal, introduced by board member Sara Brescia, aims to revise the current grading policy, which uses a 50–100 scale and does not allow grades below 50%, even for missing work. Brescia argued that the lack of a true zero disincentivizes student effort.

Go to Manassas School Board Debates Grading Policy Over Zeroes and Student Accountability Read more

Nearly 30,000 Students Opt In for School Bus Service in Stafford

By Potomac Local News

STAFFORD, Va. – Thousands of families have now confirmed whether their children will ride the bus next school year, as Stafford County Public Schools continues to implement its new transportation opt-in policy.

As of the end of May 2025, 29,717 students across the division have declared their transportation intentions for the upcoming school year. Of those, 5,640 students have opted out of morning service, and 5,224 have opted out of afternoon service, according to information presented at June 10, 2025 School Board meeting.

Go to Nearly 30,000 Students Opt In for School Bus Service in Stafford Read more

Stafford Schools Begin Phasing Out Artificial Dyes Ahead of 2027 Ban

By Kelly Sienkowski
Governor Youngkin signed legislation banning food dyes in March 2025.

Stafford County Public Schools is moving ahead with plans to eliminate artificial food dyes from school meals, following the signing of a new state law that will ban certain synthetic color additives by 2027.

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently signed HB 1910 and SB 1289, legislation that “prohibit[s] public elementary and secondary schools from serving any food that contains specific color additives for school meals or competitive food.”

Go to Stafford Schools Begin Phasing Out Artificial Dyes Ahead of 2027 Ban Read more

Smaller, Later, Still Ambitious: PWCS to Share New Plans for 14th High School

By Potomac Local News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A long-delayed and now dramatically scaled-down high school project will take center stage at Wednesday night’s Prince William County School Board meeting, as division officials present updated plans for the county’s 14th high school.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on June 4, 2025, at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Road in Independent Hill.

Go to Smaller, Later, Still Ambitious: PWCS to Share New Plans for 14th High School Read more
View More Stories