Manassas City School Board approves resolution barring collective bargaining after hours of public comment

The Manassas City School Board voted to approve Resolution R2025-03, a measure that does not authorize collective bargaining for Manassas City Public Schools, after extended public comment and more than an hour of board discussion. The motion to approve the resolution was made by Mrs. Breggia and seconded by Mrs. Spald, and the board approved the measure following a show-of-hands vote.

The action followed a lengthy public-comment period in which teachers, union leaders and community members urged the board to allow collective bargaining and residents and some board members warned of financial and operational risks. Anna Demaria, identified in public comment as president of the Manassas Education Association, told the board, “When educators are empowered, our students thrive.” Several classroom teachers and union leaders echoed that view, saying collective bargaining would give staff a legally enforceable seat at the table. Other speakers urged caution, citing estimated legal and staffing costs the division provided to the board.

Deputy Superintendent Craig Gaffeller presented staff analysis and cost estimates during the discussion. He said current state law gives local school boards the authority to decide whether to authorize collective bargaining and that the state provided no funding for any costs tied to…