The Stafford County School Board has announced a special meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the potential appointment of a new division superintendent. The meeting will be held at the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex at 31 Stafford Avenue in Stafford.
If confirmed, the new superintendent will become the fifth to lead Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) in the past 15 years.
The appointment follows Dr. Thomas W. Taylor’s departure as superintendent in June 2024. Shortly after Taylor’s resignation, the School Board convened a special meeting on June 18, at which it unanimously appointed Chris R. Fulmer as Acting Superintendent.
Fulmer, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) has been with SCPS for 12 years and has served as Deputy Superintendent since 2019. During his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in overseeing school operations and collaborating with staff and community stakeholders to advance educational initiatives.
Before his time with SCPS, Fulmer gained extensive experience in public accounting, conducting financial audits for government entities, including school systems. This background in financial management and accountability has been instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership within Stafford County schools.
In an unexpected email to his team, Johnson explained that family obligations were leading him back to South Carolina. This Friday, November 15, 2024, will be his final day. He was hired August 28, 2023.
Stafford County Public Schools’ transportation woes have been the source of significant disruption, frustration, and, frankly, a lot of unanswered questions. The division notified parents of the transportation breakdown hours before school resumed, leaving families scrambling. Despite an August meeting in which the school board addressed these issues, parents are still waiting to see what corrective actions have been implemented.
Johnson’s Departure and His Message to the Team
In his farewell letter, Johnson thanked his team, regretted not sharing the news in person, and affirmed his commitment to family responsibilities. He highlighted his pride in the department’s achievements but noted that sometimes, family must come first.
While Johnson’s departure may be due to personal reasons, it also comes at a time of intense scrutiny on Stafford County’s transportation department. Under his leadership, the department had ambitious goals: implementing new routing software, hiring and training new staff, and optimizing routes to better serve students. Unfortunately, a rocky rollout of new technology, compounded by staffing shortages, has led to significant setbacks that still impact students and families.
What Went Wrong?
The core of Stafford County’s transportation issues seems rooted in systemic problems within the planning and execution of new technology, along with staffing and operational inefficiencies. At the heart of the issue was a new routing software system, introduced with high hopes but ultimately underprepared for the realities of a bustling school district.
Stafford’s transition to this software was necessary; the previous system was outdated and unable to meet the district’s needs. However, this “solution” soon became a significant problem. On August 27, 2024, Interim Superintendent Chris Fulmer noted that the software lacked extensive testing for real-world scenarios. Rushed implementation and insufficient training compounded these issues, leaving bus drivers and coordinators struggling to manage routes and respond to sudden changes.
The crisis differed from two years ago when the school division failed to meet the district’s transportation needs due to a lack of bus drivers.
Calls for Accountability
The transportation failures have had real consequences. Students missed critical class time, families faced disrupted schedules, and many lost confidence in the system. Parents continue to voice safety concerns, citing early morning waits at bus stops and inconsistent route information.
The board has discussed various changes, from expanded walk zones to a crisis communication plan, to better manage parent expectations. They have also acknowledged the need for an independent transportation department review to ensure unbiased solutions. However, the review has not been mentioned since, and recent monthly school board agendas have been void of anything related to school bus transportation.
Board member Elizabeth Warner said on August 27, 2024: “We owe our families transparency and accountability. They deserve a system they can rely on, one that doesn’t leave them scrambling at the last minute.”
In the race for four Board seats, the eight candidates ran spirited campaigns discussing a variety of issues, including absenteeism, standardized test scores, community engagement and the like.
The results
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Held at the school driver's education range, the event was meant to "inspire students to consider careers in public service and skilled trades," a county press release stated.
FFM showcased various vehicles in the fleet and its maintenance equipment. The Prince William County Police Department also brought some emergency vehicles to show URHS students how to manage and maintain the vehicle during an emergency.
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The Stafford County School Board is deciding on new high school boundaries as the district confronts rising enrollment numbers, resource imbalances, and transportation challenges. The Board is set to cast its final vote on December 10, 2024 in January 2025, a decision that will impact thousands of families across the county.
The anticipated decision comes as Stafford County experiences unprecedented growth, with an expected increase of over 2,400 students in the next five years. By 2034, that number is projected to exceed 6,000 additional students, straining existing facilities and prompting the need for realigned boundaries.
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At the November 6, 2024, Prince William County School Board meeting, multiple parents addressed the board with concerns and feedback about the district's pilot cell phone policy, which restricts student phone use during school hours.
The policy, which affects both middle and high schools, allows limited cell phone use for high school students during lunch and hallway transitions, while middle school students follow a stricter "off and away for the day" rule.
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At the November 6 Prince William County School Board meeting, residents advocated for adding Eid Al-Adha as a recognized holiday in the school calendar. This would allow Muslim students and families to observe this significant religious event without missing school.
Hifsa Khan, a resident of Gainesville, spoke on behalf of a group of parents, highlighting the importance of Eid Al-Adha within the Muslim community. “Eid Al-Adha is considered the larger of the two Eids we celebrate, and it’s deeply meaningful for us. It’s a time when we gather with family, worship, and reflect on shared values,” said Khan.
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The conversation centered around the effects of an ongoing pilot program restricting phone use during instructional time. The board considered two potential paths: maintaining the current guidelines with limited phone access or adopting a stricter “bell-to-bell” policy.
The board first implemented a cell phone pilot program at the start of the 2024–25 school year, following Gov. Glenn Youngkin's order to schools to develop and implement plans for cell phone-free learning by 2025. Prince William County Public Schools' current policy requires that cell phones be turned off and put away during class periods, with high school students allowed access during lunch and passing periods. The goal is to foster a more engaging classroom environment with increased face-to-face student interactions.
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One hot topic for discussion is the cell phone policy in schools—a decision that could shape students' school-day routines. Recently, the Virginia Department of Education suggested a strict “bell-to-bell” policy, which would prevent students from using phones entirely during the school day, including lunch and passing periods. However, Prince William County has a slightly different plan. Their proposed policy, if adopted, would allow high school students to use their phones during lunch and in hallways between classes, but keep devices out of sight and silent during class time. For younger students in elementary and middle school, phones would need to stay stashed away all day.
If this policy goes into effect on January 1, 2025, students who break the rule could face referrals and might even need to bring home a form for parents to sign. Tonight is the first time the public will get to hear details of this plan, and it’s sure to be a point of interest.
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Press Release:
The City of Fredericksburg and the Fredericksburg Police Department are introducing school zone speed enforcement cameras to protect students and enhance road safety. These cameras will be installed in two city school zones in late 2024 to ensure drivers follow posted speed limits, creating a safer environment for children.
