Manassas board details Manassas Pathways alternative-education pilot, $2 million fund balance allocation and January launch

The Manassas City School Board on Monday heard an initial implementation update on Manassas Pathways, a pilot alternative-education program funded through a $2,000,000 allocation from the division’s fund balance and scheduled to open in January 2026.

Director of School Leadership Betty Jo Winnham (introduced by the board) told members the program is intended to serve “approximately 30 to 40 students at a time who require a non traditional learning environment,” offering smaller class sizes, individualized instruction and social-emotional supports aligned to students’ needs. Winnham said the pilot grew from work started in 2023 and subsequent joint meetings with the city council and board.

Winnham listed current staff in place for the launch: a coordinator of alternative education programs, a program administrator appointed as Manassas Pathways Program Administrator (Brian Coleman), and an administrative associate who will also serve as the Virginia Virtual Academy registrar. Winnham said the division repurposed a 10-month position to create an alternative-education case manager; Bridget Pierce now serves in that role and will act as an academic and success liaison for Pathways students.

“This program is our division’s distinctive…