Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting of January 27, 2021

View the agenda on the Electronic School Board webpage.

Watch the School Board meeting on PWCS-TV.

The School Board Approved:

• The renewal of the Parliamentarian's Contract (PDF);
• Naming the new wing at Old Bridge Elementary School after retired principal Anita Flemons (PDF);
• Naming the PACE West Gymnasium to be the Douglas McArthur Lovelace Gymnasium (PDF);
• The proposed revisions to Policy 132 (PDF), "Regular, Special and Closed Meetings," and Policy 134 (PDF), "Citizen Participation";
• The school attendance areas individually associated with Kyle Wilson Elementary School, Montclair Elementary School, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, and C.D. Hylton High School, effective immediately, as proposed in the "Report of Attendance Area Recommendations (PDF)";
• The School Board Meeting Minutes (PDF) for January 6, 2021;
• The School Board Meeting Minutes (PDF) for January 11, 2021; and
• The School Board Meeting Minutes (PDF) for January 12, 2021.

Citizens Addressed the School Board on the Following Topics:

• Return to Learn plan

Student Matters:

• Update on the Student Senate
• Encouraging students to contact teachers and upperclassmen for support
• Specialty program applications

Staff Presentation Topics:

• Superintendent's Update on the Pandemic (PDF)
• Update on PWCS Equity Committee (PDF)

Superintendent's Time:

• I appreciate the opportunity to update the School Board, staff members, parents, students, and community members on the important work occurring during this pandemic.
• On January 12th, I had the opportunity to visit Signal Hill Elementary School to check in on the in-person return of second and third grade students. I had the chance to thank the staff for their hard work, as well as talk to the school nurse about personal protective equipment. The school counselor also shared the many ways they are supporting students in-person and virtually, including grade level lunch bunches where students are invited to hangout on Zoom during lunch and play games. It was a great visit and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the staff there and throughout the Division during this pandemic.
• On the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I was proud to participate in the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition. Due to the pandemic, this event was held virtually. Now in its 31st year, the oratorical program is sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in affiliation with the Delta Research and Educational Foundation. Creative flair, hard work, time, and effort were evident in the impassioned speeches of this year's student presenters, three of whom are PWCS students: Nyela Asterilla-Anderson, Freedom High School; Amber Austin, Patriot High School; and Zion Fozo, Potomac High School. Congratulations to Nyela, a ninth grader, who took second place in this year's audience-driven competition. I would also like to thank Lillie Jessie, School Board member for the Occoquan District, who is the founder and first chairperson of the MLK Youth Oratorical, as well as Sheila Mitchell, my neighbor and primary organizer of this outstanding event.
• Even during a pandemic, PWCS is cooperating in efforts to improve education. Last week, I was interviewed in a research study conducted by FoodCorps, a non-profit organization whose aim is to "create a more perfect school food system." Former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe is on the Board of Directors. FoodCorps is conducting interviews as a method of researching school divisions across the country regarding food service operations during the pandemic. At the conclusion of my interview, the researcher said that our PWCS Food Services operations is the, and I quote, "top one or two most inspiring models", we have discovered in America. I am very proud of the work of Adam Russo, director of School Food and Nutrition Services, and his outstanding team, who have been working since last March to ensure our students and community members are fed. Congratulations.
• Our staff members continue to shine throughout this pandemic. I would like to congratulate Andy Jacks, principal of Ashland Elementary School. The Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals has awarded Mr. Jacks with the 2020 Professional Development Award, which provides recognition to educators who have enhanced professional development opportunities for elementary and middle school principals. Mr. Jacks will be presented this award in June at the Association's Annual Awards Luncheon. Congratulations.
• Firefighting is one of the School Division's newest Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings. The program is open to students this year at Unity Reed High School and Osbourn Park High School and allows students to earn Firefighter I and II certifications. Next year it will be open to all high schools. During the pandemic, PWCS has been working to provide in-person learning opportunities for CTE students. PWCS partners with the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System allowing students to learn from professionals and use the latest state-of-the-art equipment and experience the real world of firefighting science at the Prince William County Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville.
• Thank you and stay safe and healthy.