Public hearing on FY2026 budget draws speakers on security, special education and transgender student policies

The Prince William County School Board opened a public hearing Feb. 19 on the superintendent’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and heard from citizens who spoke both to budget priorities and to a separate, high-profile debate over school policies concerning transgender students.

Board members announced six citizens had signed up to speak during the formal budget hearing. Speakers and members of the public who addressed the board during the hearing asked the board to prioritize school safety and special education funding and debated whether the division should alter its nondiscrimination policies in response to a recent presidential executive order.

Jen Donnelly, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, told the board she wanted “armed security personnel in our elementary schools” and urged the board to fund school resource officers at every elementary site, citing safety concerns and overcrowding at Covington Harbor trailers. Donnelly also raised the question of compliance with a recent executive order and suggested budget cuts could follow noncompliance.

Other budget-speakers addressed different priorities. Sandra Kern, a parent of a former special education student, urged the board to “put the money where it needs to go,” describing concerns about special education funding and student literacy. Osborne Park parent and community members and food service staff were recognized for a Virginia School Breakfast Award; Director of Food and Nutrition Andrea Early reported that Osborne Park saw an increase in breakfast participation of about 30% after the school entered the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

After the formal hearing closed, the board opened a one-hour citizen comment period. About 20 commenters signed up to speak. Many speakers focused on the district’s nondiscrimination regulation (recorded in the meeting as Regulation 7-38-5) and on whether the division should follow a recent executive order addressing participation of transgender students in girls’ sports and use of facilities.

Speakers opposing the current nondiscrimination language cited Title IX and the executive order. Mary Anne Jensen said the board had “decided to continue its non-step behavior of putting politics before education” and urged the board to reverse course, calling for protection of female students’ privacy. Melissa Yerk and others asked the board to declare compliance with the governor’s direction and VHSL guidance on sports.

Other commenters urged the board to maintain protections for transgender and nonbinary students. Rebecca (Becca) Anderson, a former teacher and parent, thanked the board for “upholding the PWCS nondiscrimination policy,” and asked the district to strengthen practices that protect trans students; Caitlin Weston, an instructional coach and parent, said the policies are “life saving,” citing research on suicide risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth. Several speakers described students who avoided using bathrooms or who were outed by school staff mistakes and urged continuation of inclusive practices.

The board did not take action on policy changes at the Feb. 19 meeting; the session was a hearing on the proposed budget and a public comment forum. No vote to change Regulation 7-38-5 was recorded. Board members said they would continue to review legal obligations, VHSL guidance and court precedent raised by speakers. Several speakers referenced the Fourth Circuit’s ruling in the Gloucester County litigation and legal risk if the board changed course; others noted ongoing litigation challenging executive orders.

What happened: The public hearing on the FY 2026 proposed budget concluded with no board vote on policies discussed during public comment. The formal budget process will continue on the board’s schedule; board members and the superintendent reiterated their intent to balance legal obligations, student safety and inclusion in future deliberations.