Manassas School Board faces backlash over collective bargaining ban resolution

The Manassas City School Board meeting on April 29, 2025, focused heavily on the contentious issue of collective bargaining for educators, following a recent resolution that banned such practices within the district. The meeting began with a report from the policy committee, which highlighted updates from the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) that would be discussed later.

During the citizens' comments segment, several educators and community members expressed strong opposition to the board's decision to prohibit collective bargaining. Shaniqua Williams, a school counselor, criticized board members for silencing educators and failing to engage in meaningful dialogue about their working conditions. She emphasized the importance of collective bargaining in giving teachers a voice and noted the contradiction in board members benefiting from collective bargaining in other districts while denying it to their own staff.

Tammy DeHaven, a Manassas City employee, echoed these sentiments, questioning the board's expenditure of over $6,000 to draft the resolution against collective bargaining, which she described as unnecessary and harmful. She called for greater transparency in school board operations, suggesting that work sessions be made publicly accessible without the need for formal requests.

Other speakers highlighted the need for respect and communication between the board and educators, arguing that financial resources alone would not retain quality teachers if they felt undervalued. They pointed out that the board's decision to ban collective bargaining was made despite overwhelming public support for it, with 22 speakers advocating for collective bargaining at the previous meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the consent agenda, which passed unanimously. However, the ongoing discussions about collective bargaining and the board's approach to educator relations remain a significant concern for many in the community, indicating a potential for continued conflict as the school year progresses.