The School Board wants to keep it, but the City Council wants it gone.
On Monday, May 13, 2024, Manassas City Council voted unanimously to approve a new alternative condition to the special use permit application for the existing Jennie Dean Elementary School building, rendering the building ineffective and to be demolished following the new construction.
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The Manassas City School Board and Council held a joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to discuss future plans for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School following the Board’s design approval on Feb. 13, 2024.
Council and board members met to move the process along and hopefully reach an agreement on a Special Use Permit (SUP) the School Board must obtain from the City Council before school construction may begin. Obtaining an SUP will move the decision to approve the designs and construction to the Planning Commission and then the City Council for a vote.
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On February 20, 2024, the Manassas City Council will meet to discuss matters regarding education infrastructure and the development of the Jennie Dean Elementary School.
The agenda for the meeting encompassed various topics, including updates on the construction progress of the new Jennie Dean Elementary School. Furthermore, council members deliberated on the current condition of the existing school building and explored potential uses for the former Jennie Dean Elementary School building.
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The Manassas City School Board voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, to approve the plans for Jennie Dean Elementary School, moving it forward to the city’s Planning Commission for further approval and discussion.
This decision comes after months of discussions, planning, and devising an amenable school plan to fit the city’s needs. Previous reporting from Potomac Local News has shown contention between City Council and the School Board about this project, which has focused on other projects.
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"Representatives from the contractor working on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School recently presented updated plans to the Manassas City Public School Board, including space for keeping sports fields on the site, reports Emily Seymour at Insidenova.com. "The proposed design plan is a version of design "Concept E," which would place the school on the northern part of the site and would displace the fields that currently exist."
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Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis held an end-of-year wrap-up discussion focused on rebuilding Jennie Dean Elementary School and the potential loss of open park fields.
About 25 residents attended the discussion at The City Tavern Restaurant in Manassas on December 7, 2023.
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The Manassas School Board will hear a revised proposal for a new Dean Elementary School on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
The revisions come after a contentious meeting between the board and Manassas City Council members, some of whom were outraged when they learned contractors would build the replacement school building on top of sports fields at Dean Park, the city's largest park, and some of its last-remaining open space.
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Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis: “After the new Dean School construction plan was presented by the Manassas City School Board to the Manassas City Council last Thursday, I planned a Year End Wrap-Up for this upcoming [Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, 5:30 p.m., City Tavern, 9550 Center Street, Manassas], and have invited the public to hear more details and welcome questions.”
“The original plan “A” would be to build the new Dean behind the existing Dean and leave all athletic fields and track in place and available for the Dean Sports Complex. Plan “E” was recommended by the School Board. This plan would eliminate the track, a rectangle field, and a diamond and possibly a second diamond.”
“Sara Brescia and Robyn Williams, School Board Members, have been talking with me about options to keep the fields. Plans for public outreach include a presentation from the new Dean architect with public comment time on Dec. 12th at the School Board meeting at Dean at 5:30 pm.”
“I have contacted soccer, football, and baseball leadership to attend my wrap-up meeting and will share more details. Robyn Williams will attend as well.”
“My wrap-up will update the public on more city happenings in all departments, including events.”
The city must break a few eggs to build a new elementary school.
A multi-purpose field where baseball, softball, and soccer are played, and a running track at Jennie Dean Memorial Park will be razed to clear the way for a new Jennie Dean Elementary School. Expected to cost at least $62 million and sit in the heart of Jennie Dean Park, according to public documents, the two-story school will hold about 1,000 students and feature an IT workroom, a broadcast booth, and collaborative learning areas.
