Superintendent reports School Board votes, celebrates student achievement

Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

At Wednesday’s School Board meeting, the Board approved the budget, marking an important milestone that reflects our shared commitment to investing in students, supporting staff, and moving our division forward with purpose. The Board of County Supervisors will review and consider approval of the budget in April. Additionally, the School Board voted to designate Tuesday, April 21, as a non-attendance day for students. This adjustment was made to accommodate the statewide election, as several of our schools will be used as polling sites. This helps to minimize disruption and maintain safe, orderly school environments.

We are so proud to recognize three PWCS students who have earned statewide recognition as Virginia nominees for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for high school students. Congratulations to Luke Davis of Battlefield High School and Chase Durgin of Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School for earning academic nominations, and to Isabella Carneiro of Osbourn Park High School for earning a nomination in Career and Technical Education. We celebrate this impressive recognition and the bright futures ahead for each of these students.

Our students are also excelling outside of the classroom. Congratulations to the Osbourn Park High School girls' basketball team for their outstanding victory in the VHSL Class 6 State Championship—an excellent example of investing in our students. With this win, the Yellow Jackets successfully defended their championship title and became the first basketball team in Prince William County history to win back-to-back state titles. What an incredible accomplishment for our student-athletes, their coaches, and the entire school community.

We also celebrate the Battlefield High School gymnastics team for capturing the first VHSL Class 6 State Championship in program history. After three consecutive years of runner-up finishes, this team showed remarkable perseverance, determination, and heart. Additional congratulations to the Gainesville High School boys indoor track and field team for winning the VHSL Class 6 State Championship. They were led by two individual and one relay team state champions. Their achievement is a powerful reminder of what is possible when talent is matched with resilience. PWCS also boasts several individual state champions this year in boys' and girls' track, wrestling, and swimming. Read more about them here.

As a reminder, tomorrow, Friday, March 20, schools and offices are closed in observance of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of fasting during Ramadan. Additionally, Spring Break begins on March 30. Thank you for your continued partnership and for all you do to support our students, staff, and schools.

Sincerely,

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