School Board approves organizational appointments, personnel actions and policy revisions; reimbursement policy cleared for public comment

Prince William County School Board members approved organizational appointments, personnel actions and several administrative measures during their Jan. 8 meeting and voted to advance a revised policy on board member reimbursement after discussion and a recorded vote.

The board voted unanimously on routine organizational items including approval of the meeting agenda, entering and certifying a closed session under Virginia Code §§2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712, and numerous appointments and procedural items. The board also voted unanimously to uphold a hearing officer’s recommendation of dismissal in employee case number T25-001 and authorized the chair to issue the written decision.

A slate of appointments to division and external committees (including representation to the Virginia School Boards Association, National Alliance of Black School Educators, Head Start Policy Council, Safe Schools Advisory Council and the joint audit committee) was approved 7–1, with member Tradinik voting no on the slate.

The board approved organizational officers and staff assignments unanimously: Tracy Blake was elected vice chair for 2025; Laura Mills was reappointed clerk; Anna Uda (deputy clerk) was appointed; the superintendent’s designee for board coverage was named; and the board set its regular meeting schedule and meeting location at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, Virginia.

On policy, the board took first readings of several policies (including Policy 401.01 on safety and security and Policy 892 on wireless facilities on school property). The board also voted 4 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain to approve proposed revisions to Policy 115 governing compensation and reimbursement of school board members; the motion carried and the revised policy will be posted for public review. Board members discussed how the policy aligns reimbursements with procedures that apply to employees, clarified that travel from home to one’s first duty station is not reimbursable, and noted that submitted reimbursements are public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes): • Approve meeting agenda — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Enter closed session under Virginia Code §§2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712 — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Certify closed session — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Approve appointments and releases presented in closed session — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Uphold hearing officer’s recommendation of dismissal in employee case T25-001 — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Elect Tracy Blake as vice chair (2025) — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Appoint Laura Mills as clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Appoint Anna Uda as deputy clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Require $10,000 corporate surety bond for clerk and deputy clerk — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Establish regular meeting location and schedule — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Appoint Superintendent designee (Dr. Carol Fennard) to act for superintendent when needed — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Approve committee and external-organization appointments — outcome: passed, vote: 7–1 (Tradenik no). • Approve public meeting consent agenda — outcome: passed, vote: 8–0. • Approve acknowledgments/recognitions list — outcome: passed, vote: 7–0–1 (1 abstain, Tradenik). • Approve revisions to Policy 115 (compensation and reimbursement for board members) — outcome: passed, vote: 4–3–1 (1 abstain, Zargarpur abstained per minutes).

The board chair said the revised Policy 115 aligns board reimbursement procedures with those for employees while preserving statutory limits; counsel clarified that mileage from home to a member’s first duty station is not reimbursable but travel between work sites during board business may be. The counsel’s office noted submitted reimbursements are subject to FOIA.

The board’s full recorded motions and vote tallies are part of the public minutes and were reflected in the meeting audio and video.