The MCPS Board held a budget public hearing during its March 11 meeting, which was largely attended by teachers and employees of the district. The $151 million proposed budget was presented on Feb. 25 with a 5.5% salary increase and a $1 million cut to intervention services for at-risk students.
Kristen Whatley, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the district, said MCPS needed to increase its minimum salary to stay competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.
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The Board of County Supervisors has directed staff to review agreements between the Prince William County Police Department and incorporated towns regarding using the Mike Pennington Scenario-Based Training Center. The move comes after Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir requested a formal review of the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) governing town law enforcement agencies' access to the facility.
At a March 4, 2025 board meeting, Supervisor Weir, a former Haymarket Town Council member, emphasized that town residents are also county residents and contribute to county taxes. He proposed an amendment to the existing MOAs allowing town police departments to use the facility at no cost, shifting the financial burden to the county’s police department budget.
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Summer fun at Signal Bay Waterpark will start a little later than expected this year. The city of Manassas Park has announced a delayed opening due to ongoing renovations. According to a statement from city officials, the park will now welcome visitors on Monday, June 23, about a month later than initially planned.
The city assured patrons that the delay is due to necessary improvements to enhance the park experience. "We appreciate your patience as we put the finishing touches on these exciting improvements," the statement read. "If any unforeseen construction setbacks affect the opening date, we’ll let you know right away!"
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Prince William County officials are raising concerns about a high-voltage transmission line project proposed by Dominion Energy. The project could affect public parks, a public safety training center, and other county-owned properties.
According to Dominion's preliminary plans, the Wishing Star to Morrisville transmission line would run from Loudoun County into Fauquier County, requiring new right-of-way acquisitions and easements.
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Council approved the request based on nine conditions, none of which were based on parking, an issue in downtown Manassas. Pathway is anticipating a maximum capacity of 150 people each Sunday and must provide 38 parking spaces if one parking space is granted per four seats in a car. On-site, there are only 22 spaces available.
Audra Ovalle, a planner with the city, said because of the building's zone, there is no parking requirement.
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Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle presented an ambitious plan to replace aging fire stations, upgrade firefighting equipment, and implement a systemwide approach to purchasing fire apparatus during a Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) work session on Tuesday.
The proposal, which spans Fiscal Year 2026 through 2031, aims to improve response times, station reliability, and firefighter safety while addressing rising costs and resource demands. The plan also includes a $158.3 million investment in four new or replacement fire stations and overhauling the county’s equipment procurement process.
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Manassas is working on a major maintenance project at Harris Pavilion, a well-known community hub in downtown Manassas.
Beginning in March, crews will replace the leaking coolant pipes beneath the 23-year-old pavilion’s concrete surface to ensure the continued operation of the seasonal ice rink and other community events.
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As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget process, the Department of Public Works (DPW) requested the landfill change its hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open on Sundays. Currently, the landfill is open 69 hours per week Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Khattab Shammout, the DPW director, said he heard many Board members call on him to consider reopening the landfill on Sundays when he was first appointed. Shammout said he was concerned with maintaining the facility's current hours and adding an extra day of work.
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At the center of the controversy is School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, who has called for professionalism among board members after a February 19, 2025, altercation between board members Lorree Williams (Woodbridge District) and Erika Tredinnick (Brentsville District) over racial identity.
Meanwhile, the March 5, 2025, meeting became a battleground over LGBTQ+ rights and DEI programs, with community members voicing strong opinions on both sides.
