Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting February 17, 2016

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 following contracts awarded to:
  • Sorensen Gross Company for construction of an addition at Neabsco Elementary School;
  • Branch and Associates, Inc. for the renewal/renovation at Mullen Elementary School;
  • Sumter Contracting Corporation for the renewal/renovation at Westridge Elementary School;
• March 7-11 as Newspaper in Education Week;
• March 25 as Greek Independence Day;
• The Month of March as:
  • Irish-American Heritage Month;
  • Music in Our Schools Month;
  • National Professional Social Work Month;
  • Purchasing Month in recognition of the Purchasing Office, budget holders, and bookkeepers.
  • Theatre in Our Schools Month;
  • Youth Art Month;
• April 18-22 as National Playground Safety Week;
• Board Poll dated January 23 to temporarily accept legal counsel from the law firm of Blankingship & Keith;
• School Board meeting minutes for February 3;
• Delaying the vote on naming the "Ferlazzo" Elementary School until the March 2 meeting with the understanding that the rescheduled Naming Committee Meeting will be held on February 25; and
• Authorize the completion and submission of the application to the Virginia Public School Authority for a spring 2016 Stand Alone bond sale to finance certain capital improvement projects for school purposes.

  Citizens' Comments:

  Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:

  • Success in music education at Battlefield High School;
  • School Board appreciation month;
  • Retention of school employees;
  • Suggested names for the new "Ferlazzo" Elementary School in Woodbridge;
  • Black History Month and field trips related to students' interest and employment;
  • The importance of positive presenters at information night for middle school students entering high school; and
  • Donation of employee sick leave to co-workers.

    Superintendent's Time:

    Dr. Steven L. Walts, Superintendent of Schools, made the following comments:

  • With the two-hour delayed opening on February 9 and the Code Red on February 16, there are now approximately 4 days remaining before we fall below Virginia-mandated instructional minimums. This balance already includes the School Board's calendar change to close schools on March 1 for the primary election.
  • Nearly 100 viewers tuned in for the soft launch of our newest social media channel- Snap Chat. Hylton High School student Kacey Reuben posted the Snap Chat story documenting the role of a TV Production student during the Hylton Performing Arts Center performance, "Time for Three."
  • Donna Kirby at Victory Elementary; Andy Jacks at Ashland Elementary; and Hamish Brewer at Occoquan Elementary, received the Association's School Bell Award for significant contributions to education. Glenkirk Elementary School Assistant Principal Kaye Bush received the Professional Development Award.
  • Congratulations to the 10 Rippon Middle School students who have advanced to the regional finals of the National History Bee which will be held in April. Good luck to these students and their teacher. For more information look at the PWCS website announcement.
  • The annual food show will be held on March 15 at Patriot High School, with two sessions - one at 6 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Please help select lunch and breakfast items for next year. You can reserve your seat by calling 703.791.7314.
  • Schools and employees are assisting with the annual spring food drive, because food is in short supply in many homes in Prince William County. Please remember this the next time you shop. Please consider buying an extra food item to help our local food pantries. Schools and administrative offices will have collection boxes on site until March 14. Non-perishable items collected will go to ACTS and SERVE. We know that students learn and achieve better when they are not hungry.
  • There will be an information night for parents on the dangers of social media on March 2 at 6 p.m. at Hylton High School. This event is sponsored by the Prince William County Police in collaboration with Prince William County Public Schools. We urge parents to come. This is for parents only.
  • Dr. Walts thanked the Facilities crew for the hard work and long hours of removing snow and getting the schools and offices ready for students and staff to return.

    The following topics were raised by School Board members for board discussion and possible action:

  • The School Board discussed possible revisions to Policy 137, "Polling of the Prince William County School Board."
  • Mr. Ronald Crowe, director of Risk Management and Security Services, gave a presentation on how athletic facilities are scheduled by PWCS and by the Department of Parks and Recreation in relation to the memorandum between the School Board and the Board of County Supervisors.
  • The School Board requested documents from staff for use during the budget process.

Volume 11, Number 11 - Publication date: February 18, 2016