Prince William board approves pilot project labor agreement for proposed 14th high school after divided debate

Prince William County School Board members voted 6–2 to direct the superintendent to implement a pilot project labor agreement requirement for public works contracts related to construction of the division’s proposed 14th high school.

Supporters said the PLA will secure higher wages, apprenticeships and safety standards for workers on the project. Opponents said the agreements could raise construction costs, reduce competition from nonunion and small local contractors and divert money from classrooms.

The board’s motion, introduced by Vice Chair Blake, directed the superintendent to develop procurement regulations and bid specifications to allow a PLA on a pilot basis. Ms. Zargarpur seconded the motion. During debate the board adopted a friendly amendment replacing wording to specify the superintendent or her designees would implement the regulations; that amendment passed 7–1.

Board member Wilk argued for the resolution as a jobs and workforce measure, saying a PLA guarantees “good jobs, fair wages, and real opportunities for our local workers.” He said PLAs can increase apprenticeship opportunities and keep families working close to home. Board member Williams said she would support a pilot but cautioned the board to preserve opportunities for small local contractors and asked for regular updates if the superintendent implements the pilot.

Board member Wall strongly opposed the measure, saying PLAs can limit competition and raise costs. She warned that higher construction costs would reduce funds available for classrooms and programs and cited studies she said show PLA projects can cost more than comparable open-bid projects. Wall also noted no Virginia school division had yet used a PLA for school construction, and she urged caution.

After discussion the full motion carried 6–2. The board’s direction is procedural: it asks the superintendent to draft regulations for a pilot PLA tied specifically to the procurement process for the 14th high school. Board members and staff repeatedly said specifics—such as whether incentives for local, veteran- or women-owned firms would be included—would be determined in the superintendent’s implementing regulations.

The resolution’s text instructs the superintendent to develop procurement regulations, contract bid specifications and other bid documents to permit use of a pilot PLA for the 14th high school. The board approved the final motion with Vice Chair Blake’s original motion language, revised to say the superintendent or her designees would implement the regulations.

The board did not adopt any contract-level decisions tonight; the vote applied only to drafting regulations for a pilot implementation. The superintendent’s office and procurement staff will return with specifics if and when a PLA is proposed as part of a public works procurement.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to direct the superintendent to develop PLA pilot procurement regulations for the 14th high school: mover Vice Chair Blake; seconder Ms. Zargarpur; amendment clarifying implementation by the superintendent or designees passed 7–1; final motion passed 6–2.

Why it matters: The pilot could change how the division procures construction labor on a high-profile project and affects local contractors, union and nonunion workers, and apprenticeship pathways for students in career-technical programs. The board directed staff to design the pilot; any final use of a PLA will require future procurement actions and contract awards.