Manassas board waives second reading, approves 2026 legislative priorities

The Manassas City Public Schools Board voted unanimously on Oct. 28 to waive second reading and approve its 2026 legislative priorities so they can be presented at the board’s joint legislative breakfast with the city council and state legislators.

"We would need to waive second reading and vote on it this evening," said Missus Stevens, chair of the policy committee, introducing the priorities and the edits that were added this year. The board approved the motion by Vice Chair Spall, who moved to waive second reading, and Doctor Jones, who seconded. The motion carried 7-0.

Stevens summarized several edits from last year’s priorities rather than wholesale changes. Additions include language under "culture of caring" to explicitly support "the needs of students and staff through school-based and community-based services" for mental and physical health, and an added clause under "quality workforce" to "support efforts to streamline and simplify teacher licensure processes while safeguarding the level of qualified educators." Under "strong family and community partnerships," members added a bullet to "support funding to provide enhanced opportunities for family and community engagement."

Stevens said the board will present the approved priorities at the joint breakfast next Thursday with Senator Rome and Delegate Maldonado. The board voted to approve the document so it can be shared at that meeting.

The board’s decision was procedural: the vote authorized presenting the priorities to state legislators and did not by itself change local policy or funding.