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School board lays out priorities and cites improved staff retention; facility and budget questions remain
Summary
The Manassas City School Board presented three priorities — student outcomes, planning for the old Jenny Dean building, and family/community engagement — and highlighted improved staff retention rates (93% licensed, 90% support), while council members pressed for enrollment and facilities studies to inform future budgeting.
The school board summarized priorities emerging from its retreat: (1) improving student outcomes so 100% of schools are "on track," (2) developing a plan for the existing Jenny Dean building, and (3) expanding family and community engagement. The presentation tied instructional priorities to curriculum rollout, professional learning (CLTs), leadership pathways and targeted supports.
Board members highlighted retention: the district reported 93% licensed‑staff retention and 90% support‑staff retention for the year, which presenters said represented improvement from prior figures (cited around the mid‑80s). Presenters clarified the 93% figure is a division‑wide metric that excludes retirements and non‑renewals and counts intra‑division transfers as retained staff.
Council and board members asked for more granular data (reasons for departures, school‑level trends, and the underlying counts that produce the percentages). Board and councilors discussed enrollment utilization: one councilor said staff cited 1,642 empty desks across the division (about 18%), prompting calls for a rigorous enrollment study to guide facilities decisions.
The board said it has commissioned a facilities study that will include enrollment analysis and the old Jenny Dean building in its scope. No votes were taken on facilities matters during the meeting; board members said they will return with consultant findings and cost scenarios for further discussion.
