[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6394396,"mediaKeyId","2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846","parentId",2103016,"title","School Board approves organizational appointments, personnel actions and policy revisions; reimbursement policy cleared for public comment","audioSeconds",432,"startMs",1000,"endMs",433000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846&start=1&end=433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846/thumbnail_1000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6394396/Virginia/School-Board-approves-organizational-appointments-personnel-actions-and-policy-revisions-reimbursement-policy-cleared-for-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394396-96f59e3a002a02471dde99d2f71e3c6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561162&Signature=emVJUTJDhFfdVPzsQImOTHfYTCay0VcdamW73OkcjWiLmnhI6FmpHHeedSCkM0qcMVFtujFMlej64J-Zqsi9CbLzA4DmfMa5E3H8EWjodkoMHbbryXe7rAd4Cd2MN35vft6ogsZcJK25xsAWCt5Ll1pcb8f4aJY-OHHRUdHI~XBPkQ1r~pMmkLDhxuLQwQXZpBq4C73lWMnjpNcwTTvHt9k8T3IVhks-iTeESYj7tvWk25ZbH84DwgmSGZSHg6JP0XvIUSO7anBIwNs1Luf84OipiSdwyEmAtPTmWEX5E1eSQtcJngIEzz3096OLdah9ArveoFR6XThCuAemsUyPJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince William Co Public School","date","2025-01-10T22:40:10Z","article","Prince William County School Board members approved organizational appointments, personnel actions and several administrative measures during their Jan. 8 meeting and voted to advance a revised policy on board member reimbursement after discussion and a recorded vote.

The board voted unanimously on routine organizational items including approval of the meeting agenda, entering and certifying a closed session under Virginia Code §§2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712, and numerous appointments and procedural items. The board also voted unanimously to uphold a hearing officer’s recommendation of dismissal in employee case number T25-001 and authorized the chair to issue the written decision.

A slate of appointments to division and external committees (including representation to the Virginia School Boards Association, National Alliance of Black School Educators, Head Start Policy Council, Safe Schools Advisory Council and the joint audit committee) was approved 7–1, with member Tradinik voting no on the slate.

The board approved organizational officers and staff assignments unanimously: Tracy Blake was elected vice chair for 2025; Laura Mills was reappointed clerk; Anna Uda (deputy clerk) was appointed; the superintendent’s designee for board coverage was named; and the board set its regular meeting schedule and meeting location at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, Virginia.

On policy, the board took first readings of several policies (including Policy 401.01 on safety and security and Policy 892 on wireless facilities on school property). The board also voted 4 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain to approve proposed revisions to Policy 115 governing compensation and reimbursement of school board members; the motion carried and the revised policy will be posted for public review. Board members discussed how the policy aligns reimbursements with procedures that apply to employees, clarified that travel from home to one’s first duty station is not reimbursable, and noted that submitted reimbursements are public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes):
• Approve meeting agenda — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Enter closed session under Virginia Code §§2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712 — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Certify closed session — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Approve appointments and releases presented in closed session — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Uphold hearing officer’s recommendation of dismissal in employee case T25-001 — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Elect Tracy Blake as vice chair (2025) — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Appoint Laura Mills as clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Appoint Anna Uda as deputy clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Require $10,000 corporate surety bond for clerk and deputy clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Establish regular meeting location and schedule — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Appoint Superintendent designee (Dr. Carol Fennard) to act for superintendent when needed — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Approve committee and external-organization appointments — outcome: passed, vote: 7–1 (Tradenik no).
• Approve public meeting consent agenda — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0.
• Approve acknowledgments/recognitions list — outcome: passed, vote: 7–0–1 (1 abstain, Tradenik).
• Approve revisions to Policy 115 (compensation and reimbursement for board members) — outcome: passed, vote: 4–3–1 (1 abstain, Zargarpur abstained per minutes).

The board chair said the revised Policy 115 aligns board reimbursement procedures with those for employees while preserving statutory limits; counsel clarified that mileage from home to a member’s first duty station is not reimbursable but travel between work sites during board business may be. The counsel’s office noted submitted reimbursements are subject to FOIA.

The board’s full recorded motions and vote tallies are part of the public minutes and were reflected in the meeting audio and video.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince William County School Board Meeting - January 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prince William County School Board members approved organizational appointments, personnel actions and advanced a revised reimbursement policy during their Jan. 8 organizational meeting.","taxTitle","PRINCE WILLIAM CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14511,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394382,"Superintendent cites impassable routes after snow; board hears proposed 2025–26 calendar revisions",86,2132000,2218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846&start=2132&end=2218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6394382/Virginia/Superintendent-cites-impassable-routes-after-snow-board-hears-proposed-202526-calendar-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394382-9e5ff92b3b4b8c6d394d3839fdfbb502/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561162&Signature=a4DRj7rSc8sa7fafr-jqybuAc3ExlTOm39lHQjFCiW4mc1sg19iIryR54TRv~00UFFlzNscFemskBM4U~PVFGf6c0zQ2ofGae986c6oV~72j5goD0yI-Y9JfNbSE-NYk14Q8GqJuPzPI5McOWkEVbI-JGrU86n74lhZ4Xg12pNNlkBPmGz1fWYM~WX-jq8jogN0R3VeES6w1cq-36zWjQ8Qlzqhg~BNRd2lwsIXKZ5lpmuPBNoeW6qnsvkfFJ8jHrUkHfEzpo-TJNrMnxQqs~LmCCe9mTKr2pJ7S4zIoHl5BFQPMwC6kr5jBsW4FcoJ9MeocK6dvvTZ8DoxEa7Dpyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Latanya McDade updated the Prince William County School Board Jan. 8 on the division’s response to recent snow and on planning for the 2025–26 school calendar.

Dr. McDade said facilities and transportation teams have worked around the clock to prepare schools and routes following the storm and that “a little over 50 roads” remain impassable to school buses, affecting approximately 100 bus routes. She said she and the division’s chief operating officer met with VDOT regional leaders and provided a prioritized list of bus routes for clearing; VDOT committed to collaborate on restoring service. Dr. McDade asked neighborhoods, HOAs and property owners to clear sidewalks and walkways that are off the division’s jurisdiction so students can safely reach bus stops.

On the calendar, staff presented recommended adjustments to the 2025–26 calendar to align with a pending revision to Policy 541 that would add Eid al-Adha as an additional holiday. The proposed changes would move the first day of school for students from Aug. 19 to Monday Aug. 18, 2025 (converting the teacher work day to the first day of students) and make May 27, 2026 a division holiday pending approval of the policy change. Staff said the calendar revision will return to the board for final approval on Jan. 22.

Board members suggested adding school board meeting dates to the public calendar subscription so the public can receive them on mobile devices; staff said communications teams will follow up.

Ending: The superintendent encouraged patience while the division and VDOT work to clear bus routes and said the division is exploring emergency snow-route planning for future events; the calendar revision will return Jan. 22 for action.","Superintendent Dr. Latanya McDade told the board about more than 50 bus routes currently impassable after a snow event and said VDOT committed to targeted clearing; staff presented proposed 2025–26 calendar revisions to add Eid al-Adha and shift the start date to Aug. 18, 2025, with final action scheduled Jan. 22.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394387,"Potomac High parent asks board to prioritize new crosswalks, lighting and sidewalk in CIP",583,1510000,2093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846&start=1510&end=2093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846/thumbnail_1510000.jpg","/articles/6394387/Virginia/Potomac-High-parent-asks-board-to-prioritize-new-crosswalks-lighting-and-sidewalk-in-CIP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394387-04be6427751f1fda2f99ee0ff8d11434/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561162&Signature=AzUYIpu8IEmPE~gJKpfRXJ7JVrjZv-uhIpxVmUGyybo9HLKQcqJPjNPxOkcEL3AEwopenYHWQ0F94t3fsKdriCF7wn7HubMSpTPZw8gg9iRX1mesAPnWu4PInBba4uEy9Hw5wKhALxtbAHI2~44NW79DrijP44ooUVaDqvjazz8XLVbJlBxZTw0RUkqdbrfGhsrKy1hYXUyR077aABd0llhKAilRR7k0-RtljqZrosig2DMBmNCSvQmfh8-plcXQo8eY4u4PP4oKkQTqBZQEFkOAQ99OQfmkS3gFiUWI4-TCkEY9QlMzH86UAOHmh81Un-~~39scA2GTQL~JnIdtYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Potomac High School parent and PTSO vice president asked the Prince William County School Board Jan. 8 to prioritize a three-phase pedestrian safety project in the division’s Capital Improvement Program.

Makiya Little said her son, who transferred to Potomac as a freshman, stepped off an unmarked sidewalk into the roadway on his first day because there is no continuous sidewalk or crosswalk at the school’s approach. Little said the community’s pedestrian-safety committee, working with the superintendent’s office and county staff, developed a three-phase plan: (1) add crosswalks and a new light head at the marquee entrance, (2) add enhanced flashing lighting along the path to the school, and (3) construct a sidewalk along Panther Pride Drive so students do not have to walk in the street.

Little told the board she has submitted phases 2 and 3 as CIP requests and asked that the board prioritize the project so work can begin no later than this summer. She said the PTSO and staff researched property ownership and that, with support from the superintendent and the county executive, they had identified the relevant property owners and next steps. Little said a new sidewalk could cost “around a quarter million” dollars.

Board members thanked Little for advocacy and several board members said they would push to include the project in CIP deliberations and to seek seed funding. The board did not vote on the project at the meeting.

Ending: Staff noted the project has been submitted to CIP and board members indicated they will consider it during the CIP meeting scheduled for Jan. 15.","A parent and Potomac High PTSO vice president urged the board to prioritize a three-phase pedestrian-safety project (crosswalks, flashing lighting, sidewalk) in the CIP after students were forced to walk on gravel; cost estimated at about $250,000.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394392,"Parents and alumni urge Prince William schools to fund permanent robotics/STEAM facility",1257,1133000,2390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846&start=1133&end=2390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2103016-292f4c50b4b2307ab7291aa8ff8e8846/thumbnail_1133000.jpg","/articles/6394392/Virginia/Parents-and-alumni-urge-Prince-William-schools-to-fund-permanent-roboticsSTEAM-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394392-18bb1ffa3c7905faaca483d898902abf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561162&Signature=ZLJfj46N3eM3VK1QfKQ4kpyO7Ohmwt6q0E5tQfWMaqeyHoO3O5Wu-fgpnMRo4i2FDNjsy4lt21tmX0WY2X~g-HNx8JfrEOdm9QD~vnzVj8mn4Vatt0X6UfSriJrF4bxbMBDUJzk52SeX3jbUWB-XVlZ9-~1KFGmp0d3HQUUOit41EctckpG9oEVI9jwmgFUUsPEZoXru5stIfZrSfU9D4MyQawHgk1qus-vUtAgTX8zgoD8RSFB9e7hy2jCWH8qepFPzNsYZd-iQG9N2TnoESp0CriNx8VJpXQRfSpaVRn-TECrUxzayTOZwOQqpU3lFho-LF1wG9kDM-pFL3Ta9jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two advocates for Prince William County’s robotics programs asked the school board Jan. 8 to fund a permanent STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) facility to expand student participation and sustain competitive programs.

Jeremy Webster, a parent and coach, told the board robotics “builds confidence, resilience and the ability to learn from failure” and urged the division to “support a STEAM building here in Prince William County” so students could continue hands-on learning and competitive opportunities.

Chance Williams, a graduate and former student representative who is now a junior in computer science at Alabama A&M and a Department of Energy scholar, said the county once had near-universal school participation pre-COVID and that the program currently is leading the state in land, air and sea robotics competitions. Williams said the program is constrained by space and staff: “Two people cannot support 10 robotics platforms and thousands of students across elementary, middle and high school,” he said, calling for a permanent home for robotics teams and competitions.

Both speakers framed robotics as more than an extracurricular: they described it as an academic and career pathway that improves teamwork, public speaking and technical skills and draws students of diverse backgrounds into STEM fields. Williams provided participation stats from the program (reported during his remarks): roughly 39% female participation and multiple platforms (land, air, sea).

Board members and several trustees in the meeting thanked the speakers and said they would discuss facility options and potential budget or CIP (Capital Improvement Program) requests. The board did not vote on a new facility request at the meeting.

Ending: The board did not make a final decision; advocates asked staff to explore permanent space and budget options, and several board members signaled support for follow-up discussions and possible inclusion in CIP deliberations.","Two speakers at citizen comment urged the school board to create a permanent STEAM/robotics building to expand teams and free up space, citing high student participation, state-leading programs and limitations caused by lack of dedicated facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Board approves organizational appointments, personnel actions and policy revisions; reimbursement policy cleared for public comment

Superintendent cites impassable routes after snow; board hears proposed 2025–26 calendar revisions

Potomac High parent asks board to prioritize new crosswalks, lighting and sidewalk in CIP

Parents and alumni urge Prince William schools to fund permanent robotics/STEAM facility