Manassas, Virginia Development News
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School Board and City Council Joint Meeting - June 25, 2026
Published: Jun 25, 2026
Manassas City Schools Prioritizes Family and Community Engagement
The school board outlined priority number three, focusing on family and community engagement opportunities. This includes building on existing successful programs like 'Parents as Educational Partners' with Rotary, the family liaison program, E3 coordination with the Manassas City Police Department, and the adult English learner program. A key initiative is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Manassas City Public Schools, which aims to honor history, recognize contributors, celebrate achievements, and engage the community in shaping the future. Plans for improved communication and transparency include expanded storytelling videos, social media engagement, enhanced website content, a potential dedicated school board webpage, and listening sessions across the city. Efforts will also focus on improving accessibility through language access, digital accessibility, and outreach to ensure all families feel welcomed and informed.
Manassas City Schools Updates on Alternative Education Programs
The school board presented updates on two alternative education programs: the Osborne High School evening school program and the new Pathways alternative program. The Osborne High School evening school served 80 students this year, including 51 seniors, with 34 graduating in May and 18 expected to graduate later. The Pathways program, launched in January 2026 with city support, served 25 students in grades 5-12 in its first semester and focuses on supporting students who struggle in traditional settings, prioritizing academic success, and using restorative practices for disciplinary violations. Staffing for Pathways includes a program administrator, teachers, support staff, a nurse, and a case manager. Both programs aim to provide flexible learning environments and support student success, with evening school highlighting successes of young parents and students facing hardships, and Pathways emphasizing improved behavior, job application skills, and self-advocacy.
Future of Old Jenny Dean Building Under Discussion: Preservation, Renovation, and Sewer Capacity Concerns Raised
The school board is developing a plan for the future of the existing Jenny Dean Elementary building, with recommendations due by March 2028. A community discussion on June 11, 2026, revealed a strong desire to preserve the building due to its historic significance, community pride, and potential for reuse of facilities like the gymnasium, cafeteria, and commercial kitchen. Potential educational uses discussed include a career and technical education (CTE) center, workforce development programs, a robotics center, expansion of pathways programs, a health clinic, and a universal pre-kindergarten program. The board is investigating cost estimates for various options, including demolition, partial preservation, and full preservation. The city has raised concerns about the sewer network's capacity, stating that preserving the entire building would require significant upgrades to the 18-inch sewer line and lift station, potentially costing millions. There is also a discussion about the historical context of the building's construction during the era of massive resistance and the importance of honoring Jenny Dean's legacy appropriately, considering the building's complex history related to segregation. The school board is also exploring housing the pathways program in the existing Jenny Dean building.
Manassas City Schools Focus on Student Outcomes, Staff Retention, and Instructional Excellence
The school board discussed priority number one: supporting year five of the strategic plan to improve student outcomes and ensure 100% of schools are on track. Key strategies include monitoring attendance and decreasing chronic absenteeism, supporting students with special needs through IEP case manager letters to strengthen communication, and adopting a new K-12 math curriculum with teacher training and individual coaching. Professional development and instructional excellence are driven by the strategic plan, supported by a school improvement grant for high-quality tier one instruction. Collaborative learning teams (CLTs) meet weekly for lesson planning and data review. Leadership development pathways include teacher leadership, aspiring administrators, and aspiring principals programs. Staff retention is highlighted, with 93% of licensed staff and 90% of support staff retained, and the district is fully staffed for K-6 with minimal vacancies in 7-12. The district also notes that Round school, which was struggling with test scores, is now being monitored at a higher level by the VDOE, with changes in place driven partly by state requirements, making it a tougher but improving environment for staff.
Financial Implications of Old Jenny Dean Building Preservation and School Staff Retention Discussed
During a discussion on the Jenny Dean building, concerns were raised about the significant cost of necessary sewer infrastructure upgrades, estimated to be in the millions, if the entire building were to be preserved. City council members highlighted that the city's expenditures on schools have consistently been the largest city expenditure, emphasizing that while they support schools, residents often voice concerns about school performance and rates. The discussion also touched upon the 7% staff retention rate for licensed staff (excluding retirements and non-renewals), with clarification that this is a division-wide number and no specific school stands out as a major concern for departures. The school board reported a 93% retention rate for licensed staff and 90% for support staff, viewing this as an improvement. The cost of the school improvement grant for Round school is approximately $120,000 for the next year. The school board mentioned they are setting aside money for future school construction and continuing to save money.
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The Manassas News archive
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