LETTER: Board has no hidden agenda

I am compelled to correct the misinformation presented in the letter to the editor on Nov. 15 from Rene Fry, the Dumfries District representative to the County Planning Commission, stating that the Prince
William County School Board has a “hidden agenda” regarding its capital improvements projects and overall budget.

First, the number of trailers in PWCS is down from previous years and more students are in permanent facilities, thanks in large part to the School Division’s prudent planning, and in spite of the fact that
the Planning Commission continues to approve housing developments in areas with overcrowded schools and roads. A concerted effort is made to immediately inform the public of all school site
developments and underlying decisions at each step in the process. Since Mr. Fry does not cite any sources for his questionable figures, readers should be wary of any dollar amounts he throws
around.

The School Board provides the public with ample opportunity to address any concern, certainly including the placement of trailers. Regulations require schools to notify their community when portables
are to be placed. “Citizen Comments” is a standing agenda item at every School Board meeting. The School Board holds numerous public meetings each year for the budget (including our Capital
Improvement Program), numerous public work sessions on the budget, and a public hearing the night the budget is adopted. What is hidden?

While the School Board must deal with the continued growth in student enrollment by constructing buildings or adding trailers, the Board has no control over the decisions being made by the Planning
Commission. A decision to block trailers at a school site is no solution to managing this growth. When it comes to “policy decisions,” the Planning Commission should look to itself for causes of
overcrowded schools. Full day kindergarten is a red herring — neither the School Board nor those five-year-old children are approving new housing developments.

Finally, unlike the Planning Commission, the Prince William County School Board is an independent, elected governing body. The citizens of Prince William County can hold the members of the School
Board directly accountable. Given that seven of the eight current Board members were re-elected either without opposition, or by wide margins over opponents, after the Board decided to implement full
day kindergarten, I believe the citizens have spoken loud and clear.

MILTON C. JOHNS

Chairman At-Large

Prince William County School Board