Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

Next week, January 15-19, PWCS will recognize and honor school leaders through Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week. Our extraordinary principals and assistant principals are committed to delivering on our collective vision to see every student graduate on time with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community. We are grateful for our principals and assistant principals, and I encourage everyone to send a message of gratitude to your student’s administrator.

This is the time of year that PWCS begins preparations for the 2024-25 school year, including the budget. The Superintendent's Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will continue to support the PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan.

Earlier this week, we shared the CIP with the School Board. The CIP is a management tool for planning school renovations and construction of new school facilities. It is important to share that the current enrollment projections indicate a population decline in Northern Virginia for the first time since 1970. One of the factors impacting the future enrollment in PWCS includes the decline in the birth rate in the county. Due to current trends, PWCS anticipates a notable deceleration in enrollment growth over the next five years, which will delay or change current and future facility plans.

Projects slated for delay include the construction of the 14th High School and renovations at Brentsville District High School. Emerging projects include an addition to The Nokesville School and Potomac Shores area elementary expansion, both planned for 2027-28. PWCS will continue to refine, update, and proactively respond to ensure present and future student success. Please visit the PWCS website for more details on the CIP including the budget timeline to stay informed about our priorities for next year.

PWCS will be closed this Monday, January 15, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The oratorical legacy of Dr. King lives on in the young voices of student orators who will present at the 39th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Youth Oratorical Program on Monday.

Congratulations to our five students—Ashley Gutierrez Garcia, from Graham Park Middle School; Rabab Raza, from Rippon Middle School; Ebenezer Samuel, from Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School: Alyssa Godfrey, from Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School; and Brooklynn Saunders, from Gar-Field High School—on your remarkable achievement in qualifying for the final round of the 2024 MLK Youth Oratorical Competition. Your hard work, dedication, and talent have truly shone through, earning you this esteemed position among the best young orators. More information about this event can be found at the PWCS website.

As you are observing the school holiday on Monday, I encourage everyone to not only reflect on Dr. King’s revolutionary work against injustice, but also to effectuate change through service in your community, which brings us closer to his vision.

Sincerely,

LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Prince William County Public Schools