[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6284504,"mediaKeyId","2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5","parentId",2578798,"title","Superintendent: chronic absenteeism down, reading gains visible; division highlights tutoring and digital supports","audioSeconds",708,"startMs",3222000,"endMs",3930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5&start=3222&end=3930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5/thumbnail_3222000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284504/Virginia/Superintendent-chronic-absenteeism-down-reading-gains-visible-division-highlights-tutoring-and-digital-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284504-9f1040089d3302e15eba7666e161dc33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156026&Signature=UOS5~Gj4LlSCTOONNPYnIMJpcvT~ad1OVaM5o4ZLFpVTrlU2m0v4AjCw~N4o102-yuGBmPQ8Bkush2ZJLASyB5BvxV0jA-D8InOqsmzZZKkaWc8ml59zYgbKYcBXp9~QMDzX9sh15Osi6stGd1F9bPy07JhxaXJTnw1kKC9DJ0UCZdZyiCTG1DFFwbK2cPil4XHjwWhGnBCu~~-Wi-Slp2nL-N~HAWplC8le~zlm7wlulHyJx8vzgqoYFPBTw0R7do87h877Mf8amu21zFdxfog6UOaRnax5dYeNCW8dwgjLq38K8J9M4W9YJgpqpsqm5d5~PCM4PDoKpjVaDmYyAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince William Co Public School","date","2025-03-12T22:33:03.267Z","article","Superintendent Dr. McDade and research staff presented the Prince William County Public Schools quarter‑2 academic update on March 5, reporting a modest decline in chronic absenteeism and measurable gains in reading at midyear while noting continuing areas for improvement in mathematics.

Dr. Tim Neal, director of research, assessment and data services, said the district's active enrollment was \"a touch more than where we started in quarter 1\" at just over 91,000 students. He reported chronic absenteeism fell from a little over 17% in the prior comparable period to a little over 15% in the current year for the August‑to‑January span the district analyzed. Neal noted that early‑grade reading results showed substantial increases in the share of students assessed as on or above grade level on the HMH midyear measure.

Dr. Stephanie Sullivan, associate superintendent for teaching and learning, described supports the division is deploying: every K–8 school launched the All In tutoring program to provide high‑dosage tutoring before, during and after school (virtual and in‑person); more than 10,000 students are participating in that tutoring initiative. High‑school students have access to a digital curriculum for credit recovery, support and accrual (about 2,300 students currently enrolled in those options). The division also reported that more than 2,500 students had used the Varsity Tutors on‑demand resource and that Khan Academy resources (the College Board partner for SAT prep) are available to students. Lexia English was deployed as a research‑based support for English language development for EL level 1 and 2 students, and usage includes at‑home access.

Neal reviewed the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening (VALS) rollout and explained a testing detail raised by board members: for the current year the VDOE set parameters so that in grade 3 the middle‑of‑year re‑test is administered only to students who began the year in the high‑risk band; Neal said the division has provided feedback to VDOE about that approach and expects greater flexibility in future years.

Board members asked several follow‑ups. Ms. Wall asked why the third‑grade midyear VALS retesting covered only the high‑risk band; Neal said that is a VDOE expectation in the first year of VALS implementation though the division has provided feedback and anticipates broader flexibility later. Ms. Solomon (Dr. Solomon in presentation exchanges) and Ms. Wall also asked about home use of Lexia English; Dr. Sullivan said Lexia is an optional resource for families but that division data show strong at‑home usage and that teachers are using it in class as part of required ELD curriculum.

Board members and members of the public emphasized outreach to encourage students and families to use available tutoring resources. Multiple board members praised Varsity Tutors and urged active promotion so paid resources are fully used, noting the division hopes to expand awareness through communications and report cards.

The presentation included additional data highlights: vertical scaled scores in mathematics showed general improvement from fall to winter in several grades, the VALS early‑grade risk‑band distribution narrowed in the desired direction, and the division's FOCUS student support dashboard provides school staff with near‑real‑time risk indicators (grades, absences, aggregate risk) that can be filtered to identify individual students for targeted intervention.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince William County School Board Meeting - March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. McDade presented a quarter‑2 update showing chronic absenteeism down roughly two percentage points and midyear reading gains; the division highlighted tutoring initiatives, digital supports and a FOCUS dashboard for targeted student interventions.","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},6284499,"Citizens weigh in on gender‑identity and privacy policy during public comment; speakers press for clarity and protections",715,2043000,2758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5&start=2043&end=2758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5/thumbnail_2043000.jpg","/articles/6284499/Virginia/Citizens-weigh-in-on-genderidentity-and-privacy-policy-during-public-comment-speakers-press-for-clarity-and-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284499-ae15d11b688f513669df5dcf241681b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156026&Signature=eD5c6Qvn30a6o60EgT6Hftgplo7xlcpnLRBB6QAkvFGauCm5ekrRqbEKXXZ8VopqdiRlkQsyLbstTyOeGZW3Qv1IyPlmajvLNNvUZRgYTvsWHT5qnCXCqLBUzHElW19CYckpUJSSmL3bdFuSYE26sBlyQ7sBYb61DXpbMC7voiYKDfXN06dFUSUjI47lAbkFKQt2jsa3ozHRN5Q~J7OyGZqLgkRn4VENuIzoAx9gX-6K2u3GnYmvO49KQrkOLnlBeAvuK7MZLzisunIfuneXR3eriUnacIDzTCqmIzLPlKznWLCRPCyxDp68eK~91AC2StytEjV51dNEkkvyzu85Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Six citizens addressed the school board during the public comment period on March 5 about the division's policy governing confidentiality, accommodations and facilities for transgender and gender‑diverse students. Speakers urged the board to clarify its position and to consider both student safety and parental rights.

Brian Joseph Wilson, identifying himself as a parent, urged the board to \"demonstrate the most basic level of empathy\" for families afraid of immigration enforcement and asked the board to state whether it would take a position on federal changes that could affect students in schools. Wilson asked the board to communicate its intentions clearly to the community.

Several speakers focused explicitly on the regulation the transcript lists as \"Regulation 7 30 eight‑five\" (also referred to elsewhere in the meeting as \"Policy 7 38‑5\"). Rena Stapp told the board Regulation 7 30‑8‑5 \"protects some of our most vulnerable population, the LGBTQ plus youth in Prince William County\" and that the regulation preserves privacy and confidentiality for those students. Stapp cited research (the Trevor Project, 2021) about the protective value of affirming school environments.

Other speakers pushed opposing viewpoints. Chris Funderburg said he is not opposed to children but urged that the board avoid encouraging gender transition for children; he argued that underlying mental‑health needs should be treated rather than affirmation, and he said that biological sex should determine single‑sex spaces. Dedham Urell asked the board whether state laws should be followed in the county and whether the board would prioritize academics over \"social non issues,\" and requested a written reply from the board on certain questions about the policy.

Melissa York urged a ‘‘common sense approach’’ and described the issue as \"a matter of safety,\" asking the board to provide a policy for gender‑neutral bathrooms as an alternative and citing her view that transgender students comprise a small share of the student body. Speakers on both sides invoked suicide and mental‑health statistics, parental rights, and the need for safe school spaces.

Board practice observed time limits for public comment; the board did not take action on the policy during this meeting but several members acknowledged the need to respond to constituent questions and provide clarity about policy implementation and legal obligations.","Six citizens spoke during the March 5 public comment period about the division's policy referenced in the meeting as Regulation 7 30‑8‑5 (also cited as Policy 7 38‑5), with speakers urging either stronger protections for LGBTQ+ students or clearer parental rights and safety measures in single‑sex spaces.",{"_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},6284509,"Board holds public hearing on potential sale of 3.06‑acre parcel abutting Gainesville Middle School; no public speakers",75,441000,516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5&start=441&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5/thumbnail_441000.jpg","/articles/6284509/Virginia/Board-holds-public-hearing-on-potential-sale-of-306acre-parcel-abutting-Gainesville-Middle-School-no-public-speakers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284509-7e907d33b710585c836d0db4589cb2e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156027&Signature=JaEWcHo90~qoeEyG8YCV~zI6cE9StC9KboswoB9jChW2LsI-Q4Ebwb59Cwk2~GnXfbt0UmJ0BmlHVdvQkCdoP9Bzmm0KeGpZ~KhPa1S1036iXNXcV94ZpusDWYB-o1oVxufmj6mBz4UkmIFhK~XXkvh4msDq2hnD-eaxYpSBQPG1fFU14uUdS4O2c2YuqJNHh5FIG1E99iZyVOql4fQ5apRzFShbsfef4ZBllIa80rUE-S47gUb8q52Qaul97GsTicRQ6XGvqTPitEkQQ7pBwRWGmUeFrRPh3-A1MJwUJ-liWnbFhVjuyFHJoRm0rlBKGJkmHAURGGp2SGJ5dX4YMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Division counsel told the Prince William County School Board on March 5 that Laurian Power, doing business as Light Shift Energy, has exercised an option to buy a 3.06‑acre parcel that abuts Gainesville Middle School and sits across University Boulevard from Gainesville High School.

Wade Anderson, division counsel, told the board that the option agreement dated January 2022 set terms under which Light Shift could exercise a right to purchase the parcel within a three‑year period, and that Light Shift notified the division in January 2025 that it was exercising the option. Anderson said Virginia law requires a school board to hold a public hearing and determine that it has no current use for the property before declaring it surplus; the board must also seek the Prince William County Board of Supervisors' approval to retain proceeds from a sale.

The board opened the public hearing on the proposed surplus and sale. No qualified citizens signed up to speak at the hearing; the chairman declared the public hearing closed with no public testimony.

No formal board determination about declaring the property surplus or retaining proceeds was recorded at the conclusion of the public hearing in this meeting record. Division counsel explained the statutory framework and the hearing was held to collect any public comment required by law.

The division and the board will need to follow the statutory steps identified by counsel — including supervision approval if the board later elects to retain sale proceeds — before the property may be sold and the proceeds retained by the school division.","Division counsel told the board that Light Shift Energy (doing business as Laurian Power) exercised an option to buy a 3.06‑acre parcel next to Gainesville Middle School; Virginia law requires a public hearing and a board determination of surplus use before sale proceeds can be retained. No citizens spoke at the hearing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284514,"School board affirms step‑3 grievance, approves closed‑session personnel actions",0,1819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5&start=1819&end=1819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2578798-a16bace5bd76ba8645b3997708bb48f5/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6284514/Virginia/School-board-affirms-step3-grievance-approves-closedsession-personnel-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284514-7a7fb46482c5dc0f299792df2b7b4cbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156027&Signature=FWupyJt4~cNUu~zr8JjRyaUtyFU-0w5jQMEH-~y28XoCJ3pz~vAMLSoBpDi-9ltq3lRQb4gdyxo2~yg2y2BIALHog42SZ11Um4iBmCZ-XD5veVO82BTJUTBLVIoP19BopO6iuzKTO6yB57B47OJii5KWqeX-LQsCsnCNUrbldUq3-Oh3DFhBIf-cZcHIwWsBFrnq8nbumXjeMjk8bQ5d-LxGQHqF-DZuD-joCIfcLJqlz43IquBe7KmjogVqPR1wVPKDm5vcm47hycKC57bWXg0h2-m5FSf7XftlCbJbMxF~zi7gr0m412cPv61QFPKMaZkn~wRcMpjS5Utg7d8kNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince William County School Board on March 5 certified its closed session, approved personnel appointments and releases discussed there, and affirmed a step‑3 grievance determination in employee case T25‑002.

Vice Chair Blake moved the board into closed session citing Virginia Code provisions on personnel, grievance appeals, litigation and school safety; the board subsequently certified the closed‑session discussion and took three formal actions when it returned to open session.

In one motion, the board \"approve[d] the appointments and releases of specific employees as presented in the closed session.\" That motion passed with a recorded voice vote of 7 yes and 1 member not present for the vote (Williams).

Later the board moved to resolve a grievance appeal. Vice Chair Blake moved \"that the Prince William County School Board affirm the step 3 grievance determination issued by the superintendent's designee in employee case number T25‑002 and further that the chairman at large is authorized to provide a written decision to the employee reflecting the school board's decision.\" The motion was seconded by Lisa Zargarpur. The vote was recorded as 7 yes, 1 abstain (Wilk); the motion passed.

The board also adopted a certification resolution under Virginia Code section 2.2‑3712 stating that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only matters lawfully exempted from open‑meeting requirements were discussed in closed session and that discussion was limited to the items identified in the motion convening the closed meeting. That certification passed by a 7–0 tally with one board member not present at the vote (Williams).

No additional public details about the personnel appointments, releases or the substance of the grievance were disclosed during the open meeting; the board authorized the chairman at large to provide a written decision to the employee in case T25‑002.

The actions follow the board's procedural reliance on Virginia open‑meeting law for executive‑session matters and the board's policy on closed‑session certification.","After a closed session on March 5, the Prince William County School Board certified its closed meeting, approved appointments and releases of specific employees and affirmed a superintendent-level step‑3 grievance determination in employee case T25‑002.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent: chronic absenteeism down, reading gains visible; division highlights tutoring and digital supports

Citizens weigh in on gender‑identity and privacy policy during public comment; speakers press for clarity and protections

Board holds public hearing on potential sale of 3.06‑acre parcel abutting Gainesville Middle School; no public speakers

School board affirms step‑3 grievance, approves closed‑session personnel actions