Manassas City Public Schools continue to grapple with behavioral issues, high teacher turnover, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges highlighted during a recent forum hosted by Potomac Local News. School board candidates and local educators shared their concerns about the declining state of the school system. In contrast, current school board member Jill Spall, who did not attend the event, offered her perspective on the impact of virtual learning.
One of the most pressing concerns discussed during the town hall was increased student behavioral problems, which have created significant classroom disruptions. School board candidate Javanese Hailey, a former teacher at Metz Middle School, shared her experience with a lack of accountability in the school.
"When I worked at Metz in 2019, there was just an absolute lack of accountability. The kids were allowed to do whatever they wanted, and there were no consequences," Hailey said. "I had seventh graders who were on third-grade level academically, and that, coupled with behavioral issues, created chaos. It felt like something was going to break down at any moment."