Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting of October 4, 2022

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

Launching Thriving Futures Focus

• The School Board recognized Porter Traditional School and Coles Elementary School as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The School Board Approved

• Recognizing November 15, 2022, as “America Recycles Day (PDF)”;
• Recognizing November 7-11, 2022, as “Attendance Officer Appreciation Week (PDF)”;
• Recognizing October 10-14, 2022, as “Custodial Services Employees' Appreciation Week (PDF)”;
• Recognizing October 2022, as “Energy Action Month (PDF)”;
• The 2022-27 Local Plan for the Education of the Gifted (PDF);
• Acknowledging the Head Start Program Continuation Grant (PDF) (Year Three of Five) as required by the Head Start Agency;
• To accept, budget, and appropriate $13,461,848 (PDF) transferred by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on July 12, 2022, representing the School Division’s share of the fiscal year 2021 general revenues surplus and cable franchise fees shortfall;
• To accept, budget, and appropriate $7,153,750 (PDF) transferred by the Prince William County Supervisors on August 2, 2022 representing the School Division’s share of the sales tax on groceries for FY 2023;
• Recognizing November 14-20, 2022, as “National Apprenticeship Week (PDF)”;
• Recognizing November 7-11, 2022, as “National School Psychology Week (PDF)”;
• The Development Impact Statement (PDF) for the Grayson Overlook rezoning that states the School Board is opposed to the subject application;
• The payrolls for August 2022 (PDF) in the amount of $34,127,772.25;
• The September 21, 2022 School Board Meeting (PDF) Minutes (PDF).

Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics

• Collective Bargaining Resolution
• Professional Development
• VDOE New Proposed Policy
• School Safety and Security

Board Matters

• The Board was presented with information (PDF) on revisions to Policy 134 (PDF), “Citizen Participation.”;
• The Board was presented with information (PDF) on the Collective Bargaining Resolution (PDF);
• The Board was presented with an update on The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park.

Student Representative Matters

• Student Senate;
• Highlighting diversity and inclusivity in high school clubs and organizations;
• Increasing awareness and resources for the ACT;
• Student Bill of Rights, planning a leadership conference, and organizing student voice committees.

Superintendent's Time

• Good evening.
• I wish to begin with extending our thoughts and prayers for those impacted by Hurricane Ian throughout the week. I encourage our community to contribute supplies, donate blood, and provide whatever support you can.
• I also wish to acknowledge the demonstrations students held at some high schools across the Division last week.
• PWCS students exercised their First Amendment rights, and school administration and staff members worked to ensure the disruption to instruction was minimized. Through these demonstrations, students were expressing opinions related to recent guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). As a reminder, those who wish to provide comment to the VDOE on their guidance may do so through October 26 on the state of Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website.
• Being aware, reflective, and engaged as a student, community member, and citizen reflects our School Division’s commitment to graduate informed, responsible, respectable, and active participants in our great democracy.
• Looking forward, I wish to highlight National School Bus Safety Week from October 17-21. This week is an excellent opportunity to recognize and recommit to the importance of safety on and around our school buses.
• During National School Bus Safety Week, October 19 is designated as School Bus Transportation Employees Appreciation Day. Our appreciation includes bus drivers, bus assistants, and Central transportation teams. Our entire transportation operation serves a crucial role in getting our most precious passengers safely to and from school, field trips, and home and more. We thank them for their expertise, patience, and concern for our children and their safety.
• As a reminder to students, parents, and staff, between September 28 and October 9, the 2023-24 school calendar survey will be available for comment. A survey link was sent to all active PWCS emails.
• Staff will present the results to the School Board at our first School Board meeting in November, and the School Board will act to decide on the final 2023-24 calendar later in the month. Please complete the survey prior to the deadline on October 9.
• In last week’s end of week letter that I sent on Friday, I unveiled our new brand identity that clearly communicates our mission, vision, and values outlined in our Strategic Plan, Launching Thriving Futures.
• It was developed internally. The brand identity is a clear representation of our vision that every student will graduate on time with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community.
• The graduation cap is a piece of ceremonial regalia that recognizes a student’s rite of passage upon mastery of educational goals.
• The mortarboard symbolizes the achievement of a solid academic foundation, as well as a launchpad toward endless possibilities.
• A sparkling, shooting star is associated with self-fulfillment and advancement in life.
• The shape of the shooting star’s tail represents a tassel, and the dynamic motion captures the excitement of our graduates turning their tassels and launching their thriving futures.
• The graduation cap sits atop the four letters P-W-C-S in reference to PWCS’ four commitments in lifting our students as our highest priority.
• This change occurred immediately on our digital platforms, and it will be phased in for other materials as they cycle through replacements.
• Finally, as PWCS will be closed in observance of Yom Kippur tomorrow, I wish a meaningful fast to all who practice.
• Chairman, that concludes my report.