Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting April 19, 2017

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:

• April as National Autism Awareness Month;
• May 1-5 as Teacher Appreciation Week and May 2 as National Teacher Day;
• The contract awarded to James River Solutions for fuel delivery and fuel site repair services;
• The contract awarded to The LandTek Group, Inc. for synthetic turf field conversion at Freedom High School;
• The naming of the wrestling auxiliary gym at Gar-Field High School in honor of coach Jack Duncan;
• The meeting minutes of April 5; and
• The Prince William County School Board adopted the recommendations of the Superintendent's Student Representative Committee concerning the addition of student representation on the School Board. The adopted process reflects the Committee's presentation to the School Board on April 5, with the following changes/adjustments/clarifications:
  • Students attending Alternative Schools are also eligible assuming they meet other requirements.
  • Student representative cannot attend VSBA or NSBA events. Regional VSBA meetings are acceptable.
  • No overnight trips for student representative.
  • Only one student per school can be represented between the student representative and alternates.
  • Student representative and alternates will be announced at the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, at the earliest, or by the end of September 2017, at the latest.
  • Concerted effort will be made using multiple platforms (emails, websites, social media, school announcements, etc.) to ensure that all eligible students are made aware of their ability to apply to be the student representative.
  • A student may have no more than one significant discipline referral and still be considered for student representative.
  • Staff will clarify provisions concerning the minimum GPA and any failing grades that will be permissible for applicants and for continued active participation.

Citizens' Comment Time:

• Saunders Middle School mentoring program;
• ADHD diagnosis;
• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);
• Reduce testing for students; and
• CPI and upgrading schools and new schools.

Presentations and discussion on the following topics:

• Fred M. Lynn Middle School Corrective Action Plan update.
• Presentation regarding the integration of Aquaponics at Potomac Middle School.
• Dr. Walts discussed and showed samples of communications videos and tactics focused on highlighting specialty programs, dual enrollment, and Career and Technical Education. The communication of the specialty programs is one of the goals assigned by the School Board to the Superintendent and his staff.

Superintendent's Time:

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

• During Spring break, there was a minor electrical fire in a second-floor classroom at Freedom High School. It was quickly extinguished by the sprinkler system, but unfortunately the water leaked to the first floor below. There was some damage to Smart boards, desks, computers, and teaching materials, and ceiling tiles. Thanks to some special individuals and teams. They include Facilities Services Director, John Windley; Ron Crowe, director of Risk Management; Freedom Assistant Principal, Christi Feemster; Freedom High School Head Custodian, Asbel Bermudez; Andrew Uglow of Environmental Services; and members of their staff. These folks came in on their days off, and on the weekend, going above and beyond to make sure the school was ready to go when we reopened this week.
• Congratulations to Minnieville Elementary Principal Nathaniel Provencio on being named Washington Post Principal of the Year for the entire Washington metropolitan region. His success in leading his staff to help our students achieve great things was featured in the Washington Post magazine on Sunday. See our Facebook page for a link to that story. Again, congratulations to Mr. Provencio.
• Swans Creek Elementary School received awards from the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Principal Barry Rosenberg received the Association's School Bell Award for his exceptional contributions as an administrator and for exemplifying excellence in leadership, character, and integrity. Ms. Amanda Broy won the National Outstanding Assistant Principal Award. Congratulations to both on bringing recognition to the Commonwealth of Virginia and Prince William County Public Schools.
• The Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Osbourn Park recently competed among the best Navy Junior ROTC units in the world. Cadet Logan Combs-Blake took first place in curl-ups. Osbourn Park's team brought home a Drill trophy and ranked 14^th out of 26 superb units. The team also was the first to win honors on its first trip to Navy Nationals. Congratulations to all Junior ROTC instructors and cadets at Osbourn Park High School.
• Best of luck to Woodbridge High School's students who are heading to Richmond next week to compete in the Governor's Challenge in Economics and Personal Finance. The Woodbridge team will be one of 12 competing.
• Students and community members have weighed in on school colors and a mascot for the new Covington-Harper Elementary School. After surveys and some in-person meetings, they decided to with CHeetahs to embrace the Covington-Harper initials. The winning color choices were blue and green. The new school logo that you will be seeing a lot in the months and years to come.
• Congratulations and thanks to the more than 219 employees who are retiring this school year. We would not be where we are as a School Division without your dedication and expertise. Best wishes to all our retirees as they move toward a great new chapter in their lives.

Volume 12, Number 15 - Publication Date: April 21, 2017