Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting of January 16, 2019

View the agenda on the Electronic School Board webpage.
Watch the School Board meeting on PWCS-TV.

Positively PWCS:

Each School Board meeting begins with presentations about the good things that our schools are accomplishing. These presentations are intended to focus on how we are preparing our students academically and socially for success in college and careers.

• The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington presented their programs that help PWCS students reach their goals.

Public Hearing: "Prince William Parkway" Elementary School and Affected Elementary School Attendance Areas:

• Citizens addressed the board regarding the proposed boundary changes.

The School Board Approved:

• Adoption of textbooks recommended by the Career and Technical Education Textbook Adoption Committee (PowerPoint)
• February 13, 2019, as "Crossing Guard Appreciation Day (PDF)";
• Adoption of textbooks recommended by the Mathematics Textbook Adoption Committee (PDF);
• February 4-8, 2019, as "National School Counseling Week (PDF)";
• School Board Poll (PDF) regarding videotaping Work Sessions to be posted to the PWCS website for public viewing;
• The School Board Meeting minutes for January 2, 2019 (PDF);
• Adoption of the boundary plan, permitting rising 5th grade students to remain at their current schools, if they provide their own transportation; More information on the approved boundary plan, which will go into effect for the 2019-20 school year, can be found here.
• The Development Impact Statement (PDF) to the Prince William County government about the impact that the Reserve at Long Forest rezoning will have on the School Division by allowing construction of 104 single-family residential units; and
• The Development Impact Statement (PDF) to the Prince William County government about the impact that the rezoning of Brady's Hill will have on the School Division.

Citizen Comments:

Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:

• A local motivational speaker offered to collaborate with motivational centers and PWCS students; and
• The proposed Ombudsman.

Student Matters:

• Sasan Faraj, student representative, recently visited Stonewall Jackson High School and Freedom High School. Students discussed how they would like to positively interact with school counselors and administrators outside of discussing curriculum.
• Another discussion topic was student lunches.
• Students commented on the murals at Stonewall Jackson High School made by Student Leadership, noting that they are inspiring and that it would be great to have more murals like that in schools.
• Student leaders at both schools also discussed enforcement of dress code.
• Sasan thanked the Office of Student Learning for their help with mental health forum.

Staff Presentation Topics:

• The Department for Finance and Support Services gave a feasibility update on Occoquan Elementary School (PDF)
• Report from the Ombudsman Committee (PDF) providing an overview of existing PWCS complaint procedures and a proposed framework for the Office of Ombudsman

Policies:

First Readings - No action is required on first readings.

• Adoption of New Policy 715 (PDF), "Notice of Student's School Status Required as Condition of Enrollment"
• Revision of Policy 647 (PDF), "Student Publications"
• Proposed Amendment to Policy 115 (PDF), "Compensation and Reimbursement of School Board Members"

School Board Meeting Information:

Individuals who wish to address the School Board under Citizens' Time should notify the Board Clerk in writing at P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108; by phone at 703-791-8709; or by email at prior to noon on the day of the Board meeting and will be placed on the list of speakers. Or, individuals may also sign onto the list of speakers maintained at the entrance to the School Board meeting room at the beginning of a regular Board meeting, but prior to 6:55 p.m. on the evening of the meeting. Please provide your name, address, phone number, and topic you would like to speak about. Any deviation from these procedures shall be at the discretion of the Chairman. All speakers must provide the School Board Clerk with their address and phone number in order to verify their residency and permit the Clerk to contact them if necessary. Upon request, the Clerk will not release to the public the address and phone number of the speaker.