School Board Meeting of June 1, 2022

Launching Thriving Futures Focus: 

• The School Board recognized the winning robotics teams and their coaches from the following elementary schools: Occoquan, Lake Ridge, Rockledge, Penn, Tyler, and Victory. The School Board also recognized students and coaches participating in the Unified Sports Program from the following high schools: Brentsville, Patriot, Unity Reed, Gainesville, Colgan, Hylton, Woodbridge, Gar-Field, Forest Park, Potomac, and Battlefield.

The School Board Approved: 

• The application for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) so they may be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education:
  A. Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs;
  B. Title I, Part C - Education of Migratory Children;
  C. Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 - Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children Who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk;
  D. Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction;
  E. Title III, Part A - Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Children and Youth; and
  F. Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants;
• The Agreement (PDF) for a historical marker at Dumfries Elementary School commemorating the Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery. Further, the Chairman At-Large and Clerk are authorized to sign any necessary documents pertaining to the Agreement, subject to approval as to form only by the Division Counsel;
• The Agreement (PDF) for a historical marker at Fitzgerald Elementary School commemorating the "Courageous Four" PWCS Black teachers who were the first to teach at formerly White schools. Further, the Chairman At-Large and Clerk are authorized to sign any necessary documents pertaining to the Agreement, subject to approval as to form only by the Division Counsel;
• The Agreement (PDF) for a historical marker on Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center property commemorating "Cavalry Action at Cole's Store." Further, the Chairman At-Large and Clerk are authorized to sign any necessary documents pertaining to the Agreement, subject to approval as to form only by the Division Counsel;
• The purchase of liability and property insurance policies (PDF), as submitted by Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA), in the amount of $1,811,826; and the excess workers' compensation policy, as submitted by Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), in the amount of $428,452; and continues to be self-insured for workers' compensation and other self-insured exposures, with the funds being administered from fund 022 to pay for any losses that may occur and for which the School Board is legally obligated to pay;
• Adopting the resolution (PDF), authorize the Superintendent, or such other officer as she may designate, to submit such documentation as required by Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) or the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), and direct that this resolution shall become effective July 1, 2022;
• Recognizing June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month (PDF);
• The recommendation to name the Potomac Shores MS Library after Hilda Barg;
• The joint resolution (PDF) for consideration by the Board of County Supervisors and Prince William County Planning Commission supporting the proposed revision of the Mobility Chapter of Prince William County's Comprehensive Plan;
• The STC Three, LLC Third Amendment to Deed of Lease Agreement (PDF) for the telecommunications tower located at Hylton High School. Further, the Chairman At-Large and Clerk are authorized to sign any necessary documents pertaining to the Agreement, subject to approval as to form only by the Division Counsel;
• The authorization of the Chairman At-Large, or the Superintendent or her designee, the Chief Operating Officer, to execute legally approved utility and other easements and related documents necessary or convenient for the construction, implementation, and/or operation of such projects as will serve the best interests of Prince William County Public Schools. Staff will furnish a list of executed easements to the School Board by the first School Board meeting in September;
• The payrolls (PDF) in the amount of $67,758,871.17 as shown in the attached recapitulation sheet;
• The May 28, 2022 School Board meeting (PDF) minutes (PDF).

Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month
• Collective Bargaining
• Prevailing Wage
• Historical Markers
• School Safety
• Addressing bullying
• Bus driver needs
• Transgender students and schools
• IB Exhibition Project.

Student Representative Matters:

• The School Board appointed Chance Williams and Daania Sharifi as student representatives to the Prince William County School Board and appointed Christian Daniels as the alternate student representative. Appointments are effective for the 2022-23 school year.

Superintendent's Time: 

• We are saddened by the tragic school shooting that occurred on May 24 in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. There are no words to share to adequately express the sorrow we feel for the lives lost and those forever changed. 
• The safety of our students and staff is our top priority as we all struggle to process this tragic event.  
• PWCS works closely with the Prince William County Police Department on a daily basis.  
• Through our Memorandum of Understanding with the Prince William County Police Department, middle and high schools have School Resource Officer support. The staffing of SROs is determined by the Police Department and funded by the County, not the School Division.  
• At the elementary school level, Community Safety Officers and Security Patrol provide continuous support. 
• Additionally, I meet regularly with Police Chief Peter Newsham to ensure collaboration in supporting the needs of Prince William County Public Schools.  
• Our Risk Management and Security Services Department provides Active Threat Response training at schools with age-appropriate resources to students to ensure safety in a crisis. In addition, every main school entrance is limited by a secure buzzer access system. We frequently assess our safety protocols to ensure timely improvement if needed. 
• The "Say Something" anonymous reporting system is designed especially for students in grades 6-12 and for staff to report concerns of potentially unsafe behavior. This is the best tool for our students to report anything, other than reporting an incident directly to a school administrator or security. This system is monitored around the clock. 
• Earlier this spring, Prince William County Public Schools hired an external partner that specializes in security audits. We are in the process of finalizing this audit, which will help us continue to update and improve our school security measures. 
• Before closing this evening, I want to congratulate our 2022 graduates. Although I will not be able to attend every graduation ceremony, I do look forward to celebrating our outstanding students at ceremonies scheduled in the next several days. We are very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to witnessing the positive impact that you will have on our world. 
• Mr. Chairman, that concludes my report. 

Board Matters:

• Update on Collective Bargaining (PDF);
• Received information regarding Prevailing Wage (PDF).