Prince William County Public Schools

Select this link to view the agenda on the Electronic School Board webpage.

Select this link to view the School Board meeting on PWCS-TV.

---

The School Board Approved:

• The addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding between PWCS and PWCS Education Foundation (SPARK);
• The 2016 Annual Internal Audit Plan;
• The October 2015 payrolls; and
• The School Board meeting minutes of November 17.

Citizens' Comment Time:
Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:

• The importance of citizens' comment time;
• Legislative Priorities and goals of the PW Education Association;
• Prince William Federation of Teachers' school calendar survey and School Division budget based on needs; and
• The benefit of Parkside Middle School Show Choir, as presented by a student.

Presentations:

• Dr. Jennifer Cassata, director of Accountability, presented the proposed 2016-17 school calendar. Each year, the School Board approves a school calendar for the next school year. Included this year are proposed Pre-Labor Day and Post-Labor Day calendar options for the Board's information. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the final calendar on December 16.
• Mr. Douglas Wright, supervisor of Career and Technical Education, gave a presentation on a possible feasibility study for one centrally located Career and Technical Education Center.

Superintendent's Time:
Dr. Steven L. Walts, Superintendent of Schools, made the following announcements:

• Four students from Potomac High School have earned prestigious awards from Cambridge International in recognition of their outstanding performance on the June 2015 Cambridge examinations. Congratulations to seniors Daniel Zarco, Hatisha Mehta, Julia Pratt, and Simran Budhwar.
• PWCS has won the top award this year in the Virginia School Boards Association Green Schools Challenge, for school divisions with more than 10,000 students. This is a competition to encourage environmental policies and actions that reduce carbon emissions. Congratulations to our energy management team members and all those across our county who work hard to reduce our energy consumption through conservation and education, allowing us to put those financial resources towards programs and services.
• The Virginia School Boards Association honored Chairman At-Large Milton C. Johns as a Regional School Board Member of the Year. The award was presented in recognition of his boardsmanship qualities and active involvement in promoting student achievements.
• Parents of eighth-grade and high school students are invited to a High School Parent Summit on Saturday, January 9 at Hylton High School from 8 to 11 a.m. This is an opportunity for parents to hear expert presentations on graduation requirements, financial aid and scholarships, college admission, and much more. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Go to our high school webpages to register.
• The following are reminders on program opportunities:
  • The application process is now open for our School of Practical Nursing at Osbourn Park High School for the next session starting in September 2016. Information sessions are scheduled for December 9 and January 13.
  • Registration for the spring session of the PWCS Virtual High School will open on January seventh and closes February second. If you are a student and want to get an idea of what a virtual course looks like and how it works, you can find out through a website demonstration video. Go to: virtualhigh.schools.pwcs.edu.
  • An information session on The Governor's School @ Innovation Park will be held on Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m. in the Occoquan Building on the George Mason Campus in Manassas.
• Dr. Walts wished those who celebrate Hanukkah a joyous season.