Weems Elementary School in Manassas has seen remarkable progress in recent years, particularly in reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student literacy. Under the leadership of Principal Michelle Huppman, the school has created an environment focused on equity, achievement, and community involvement, leading to academic improvements.
One of the school's most notable achievements is reducing chronic absenteeism. In the 2022-2023 school year, Weems faced a concerning % chronic absence rate of 28%. This figure, which emerged after the pandemic, reflected the challenges many schools faced. However, the school has halved that number through dedication and hard work. "I am so happy to share with you that Weems' current chronic absence rate, as reflected in the school quality profile, is half of that number, down to 14%. This is a school community that rose to the challenge," said Sarah Brescia, a Manassas City school board member.
The improvement in attendance has had a direct impact on student achievement. Huppman explained, “Last year, we had a 24% increase in literacy pass rates for our students in kindergarten through second grade. For the Virginia Standards of Learning reading test, we had a 6% increase in pass rates for our students in third and fourth grade.” While math scores dropped slightly due to virtual instruction during the pandemic, Principal Huppman is optimistic about the future. "This year, we are fully staffed in all classrooms and in all instructional support positions without the need for virtual instructors," she said.
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Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 27 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
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The “light duty” basic police accident tow and clean up — which includes the towing and removal of a car involved in a crash and cleaning the crash site of minor debris — fee would increase from $290 to $375. The non-accident fee — requiring a vehicle to be towed not in the case of an accident — would increase from $210 to $250.
The “heavy duty” towing fees have the largest increase if approved; the basic police accident tow and clean up will increase from $475 to $1,000. The non-accident tow fee will increase from $160 to $800.
According to city documents, the policy was last revised in May 2019 and instated in January 2020. These new fees will be instated later this month.
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The survey, conducted by ETC Institute, a national market research firm for local governments, was conducted in 2024 as part of the city's efforts to poll its residents every two years on a wide variety of issues, city services, public safety and quality of life. The last citywide survey was conducted in 2022 by ETC, which has been working with the city since 2014.
Jason Morado, the director of community research at ETC, said the survey was sent out to random residents via mail and online mostly in September and October 2024. He also said 407 people responded, surpassing the city's goal of 400 respondents.
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On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Manassas City Council received the Electoral Board's annual report, presented by Pamela Kincheloe, who is secretary of the city's electoral board. The report highlighted voter participation trends, the logistics of the 2024 election, and the city's electoral outcomes.
Voter Participation and Trends
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The Manassas City Council voted unanimously on Monday, January 13, 2024, to purchase a 1.56-acre property in Downtown Manassas from the Manassas Ice and Fuel Company (MIFCO). The $3.1 million acquisition is part of the city's ongoing strategy to control downtown development and foster community-focused growth.
The newly purchased property, which includes multiple parcels on Center Street, is zoned for industrial use (I-2), allowing developments up to 75 feet in height. City officials highlighted the importance of acquiring the land to guide its future use and prevent projects that may not align with the downtown's character.
“This purchase ensures that we, as a city, can decide what happens on this key piece of land,” said Vice Mayor Wolfe. “Without this step, the property could have been developed by-right into something like a storage facility or data center, which may not align with our downtown vision.”
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Happy Monday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 13 regular meeting, the first of 2025. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at manassaslocal@gmail.com with comments, questions and/or news tips.
Important links
Key agenda items
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
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In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, Manassas is shaping its future while honoring its past. Host Uriah Kiser sits down with Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis to discuss the North Star Branding Study findings, tackling challenges like preserving history, fostering economic growth, and addressing community concerns. Stay tuned for local news highlights, including a shocking insurance scam and updates on the City Council’s new term.
Episode Highlights:
- Introduction: Host Uriah Kiser sets the stage for a discussion of the North Star Branding Study’s findings and their implications for Manassas’ future. The podcast also teases other local stories, including an insurance scam and City Council updates.
- Conversation with Theresa Coates Ellis:
- North Star Branding Study: Theresa discusses the study’s insights, including the city’s brand awareness and challenges in balancing its historical identity with modern growth.
- Balancing History and Growth: Discussion on preserving Manassas’ Civil War legacy while fostering tech and business opportunities.
- Community Concerns: Addressing high taxes, overdevelopment, and the need for workforce readiness in tech industries.
- Future Vision for Manassas: Theresa shares her vision for redeveloping key areas and fostering investment to make Manassas a thriving community.
- Local News Highlights:
- Insurance Scam Story: A troubling case of predatory towing in Prince William County, with police investigation updates and tips for residents to avoid similar scams.
- City Council Swearing-In Ceremony: Details about the January 2025 ceremony, reflections on a contentious election season, and hopes for a collaborative future.
- Closing Thoughts: Uriah reflects on the power of local journalism, encourages community engagement, and invites listeners to share their thoughts on the podcast and local news stories.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn about the North Star Branding Study results and its role in shaping Manassas’ identity.
- Understand how Manassas balances historic preservation with modern economic development.
- Discover actionable insights for preventing predatory towing scams.
- Gain perspective on the recent City Council election and what it means for Manassas residents.
What to Listen For:
- Insights from Theresa Coates Ellis about preserving Manassas’ historic charm while embracing its future.
- Shocking details about the insurance scam and police response.
- Reflections on the heated City Council election and the swearing-in ceremony.
Listen to the full episode for these stories and more, and subscribe for updates on what’s shaping Northern Virginia communities!
