Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting May 4, 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 contract award to Northeast Contracting Corporation for roof replacement at Hylton High School;
• Naming the library at McAuliffe Elementary School in honor of Ms. Annette Pfohl;
• May 15‒June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month;
• June as Caribbean American Heritage Month;
• A 20-foot-wide easement at Stonewall Middle School to Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative;
• Payrolls for the month of March;
• The confirmation of the April 29 School Board poll about a legal memorandum to the Board of County Supervisors;
• School Board meeting minutes for April 20; and
• Revisions to Policy 930, "Community Use of School Facilities."

  Citizens' Comment Time:

  Citizens addressed the Board on the following topics:

• Cosmetology classes at Stonewall Jackson High School;
• Students with disabilities;
• Teacher appreciation week and teacher contract workday;
• Teacher diversity and retention;
• American Heart Association partnership;
• Safety of children crossing streets;
• Bullying;
• Hampton Middle School funding and name change;
• Students with special medical needs;
• Better Hearing and Speech Month;
• Forest Park High School 2nd Annual Suicide Walk;
• Student participation in the Math Con competition;
• Athletic trainers; and
• A Piano for the new high school.

  Presentations:

  • Mr. John Wallingford, director of Financial Services, gave a presentation on the third quarter budget for FY 2016.
  • Mr. Ryan Sawyers, School Board Chairman, reported that he has met with six of the eight Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) to discuss the School Division's budget. The BOCS will meet on Friday, May 6, to adopt a tax rate, which will affect the School Division's budget.
  • Dr. Matthew Cartlidge, supervisor of Planning, reported on four locations in need of attendance boundary adjustments. School Board Policy 264 allows for an abbreviated boundary process for adjustments that affect between 1 and 100 students.

    Superintendent's Time:

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

  • This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of the School Board and Leadership Team, I extend our sincere thanks to our teaching staff for all that they do both in and out of the classroom.
  • Congratulations to 236 employees who are retiring this year. A number of staff members are retiring after 40 years, and some longer than that.
  • Gainesville Middle School student Prithvi Nathan won 2^nd place at the National Geographic Bee held at Longwood University. Additionally, Prithvi also qualified for the National Championships for the U.S. Geography Olympiad.
  • Robotics students have won awards at regional, national, and world events. At the recent VEX robotics World Championships, Woodbridge High School's Team 1575A placed fifth out of 500 teams in their division.
  • Congratulations to Battlefield High School freshman Amanda Kraemer on winning first place for high school females in the Virginia state archery tournament. Good luck to Amanda in the National tournament on May 12 through 14.
  • The State Department of Education has approved a provisional licensure program for English Language Learner teachers that will provide a pathway to full licensure. This creative pilot program was proposed by George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development in collaboration with faculty and partnering school divisions, including PWCS.
  • Mullen, Loch Lomond, Sudley, and West Gate Elementary Schools will receive donated computers from the General Services Agency warehouse through the Computers for Learning program.
  • Dr. Walts reported that he attended School of Excellence celebrations at Mountain View, Ashland, Gravely, Bel Air, Rosa Parks, and Rockledge Elementary Schools and Osbourn Park High School. He congratulated them on their outstanding achievements.
  • Dr. Walts stated that the School Board has settled the matter of renaming Godwin Middle School in honor of George M. Hampton. Principal Mitchell emphasized everything in a letter that went to her school and community. The letter also included a column that Dr. Walts wrote on the subject. Both messages urge the community to work with us as we get the students excited and involved in everything from choosing a new mascot, to meeting the man whose name will be on their school. The rededication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, at 6 p.m.

    Upcoming Events:

  • The annual First Lego League Fun Day is May 7 at Osbourn Park High School starting at 9 a.m.
  • A presentation for parents and students on the dangers of social media to be held at Brentsville District High School in the auditorium on May 18 at 6 p.m.
  • The Prince William County Community Expo is on May 21. This event will be at the Pfitzner Stadium complex, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • A groundbreaking ceremony on May 23 for the new "Potomac Shores" Elementary School in Dumfries will begin at 9:30 a.m.

School Board Matters:

Topics raised by School Board members for Board discussion and possible action:

Mrs. Rita Goss, associate superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability, and Dr. Jennifer Cassata, director of Accountability, gave a presentation of the Final Report on 2011‒2015 Strategic Plan and the new 2016‒2020 Strategic Plan. Vice Chairman Mrs. Lillie Jessie, Occoquan District, requested the presentation.

Volume 11, Number 16 - Publication date: May 5, 2016

Information and Public meetings of the School Board are broadcast on pwcstv.com

(Select "Video on Demand"), Comcast Channel 18, and Verizon Channel 36.

School Board Meeting Information

School Board meetings are held in the School Board Meeting Room at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas. Citizens who wish to address the School Board under Citizens' Comment Time may notify the Board Clerk in writing, by phone, or by email prior to noon on the day of the meeting.

Please include your address, phone number, and topic of discussion. Your contact information will not be shared with the public. Clerk to the School Board, P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108, Phone: 703-791-8709 - Email: PWCSclerk@pwcs.edu

Citizens may also sign up to speak prior to 6:55 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Closed Sessions start at 6 p.m. and are followed by public sessions, which start at 7 p.m.