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Staff petition urges Manassas board to reconsider post‑Easter spring break; board schedules work‑session review
Summary
A petition presented during public comment said the proposed 2026–27 calendar places spring break after Easter and will force staff to choose between work and family; the board directed the matter to an upcoming work session for further review.
A Manassas City Public Schools staff petition presented at the school board meeting urged the board to reconsider a proposed 2026–27 calendar that schedules spring break the week after Easter, citing expected increases in staff absences and strain on substitute coverage.
Anna Dearia, who identified herself during public comment, said the Virginia Education Association and local MEA circulated a petition arguing that the calendar misalignment will force employees to choose between professional obligations and family observances. She told the board that survey respondents were not given transparent information about the timing of spring break options and that staff had not been clearly told the division was moving toward a fixed spring break no longer tied to Easter.
Dearia asked the board to examine the calendar decisions with an emphasis on transparency and staff well-being; she said neighboring districts offer more pay and break alignment, which may affect retention.
Board members acknowledged the concern and noted the calendar will be discussed at a forthcoming work session. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the board directed staff to review the calendar and provide additional information at the work session.
