Caddigan has earned the nickname of 'Builder of Schools'

  In a day and age where relocating from one desired locale to another is a sign of a prosperous lifestyle, Dumfries District Supervisor Maureen Caddigan proves that staying put doesn’t mean staying stuck. Caddigan has lived in Montclair for the past 36 years, and has made a well-known practice of contributing to her community, and not just keeping current, but staying ahead of the curve.

Caddigan and her family came to Montclair in 1974. She was a military wife, volunteer and a flourishing stay-at-home mom when opportunity knocked unexpectedly. At the time, Montclair was a small enclave with roughly 40 families.

The only elementary school was Washington-Reid Elementary. As time passed and the community grew, it was apparent Montclair needed its own elementary school. Enter Mrs. Caddigan.

She was appointed to chair the Montclair Schools Committee by the first president of the Montclair Property Owners Association, Pat Mulaney. The committee called a meeting to discuss overcrowding, and parents were upset over the situation. They really needed a new school located in Montclair, and it appeared another local area was to receive funding for a school over the fledging community with seemingly no clout.

Along with fellow resident and friend Ginny Kyser, Caddigan learned that after a long deliberation lasting till 3 a.m., the Prince William County School Board voted to create a new school in Montclair — thus Pattie Elementary School was born. It was a real coup for the community, and a new career was born for Caddigan.

Over the years, Caddigan has earned the nickname of “Builder of Schools,” and her tireless efforts have contributed to the educational well-being of countless families and students in our area.

In particular, she helped to get Potomac High School constructed in 1979, after years of Montclair’s high schoolers either being bused to Osbourn Park High School near Manassas, or to Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge. The busing took a toll on the community’s families, and Caddigan helped ensure Montclairions would have a high school they could call their own.

Caddigan served on the county school board from 1984-1991 where she participated in the construction of Montclair and Henderson elementary schools, Saunders Middle School and Hylton High School. She is a self-proclaimed friend to teachers and has fought to improve their salaries.

When her daughter Michelle became a teacher in the school district in 1991, Caddigan stepped down from her position in tears. However, fate again took her to another role – Dumfries District supervisor. In 1991, the position became vacant when then Supervisor Ed King ran for the state senate. Caddigan ran for supervisor in 1991 and won, taking office in 1992. She has been in the position ever since.

As supervisor, Caddigan negotiated successfully to construct the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center in Triangle across from Quantico, when all signs and plans pointed to another location in Stafford County.

Sound familiar? She convinced retired Marine Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas and others that a museum would drive people to the base, and 135 acres from Locust Shade Park was donated by the county as the future site for the now stunning museum.

When asked what motivates her to do such impressive things for her community, Caddigan matter of factly says she’s a “follow-through person.” She has also spearheaded the revitalization of Triangle, with plans for a six-lane circle in front of the base, and a village-like feel akin to Occoquan.

Caddigan’s imprint is all around, from widened roadways, landscaped medians and walking paths throughout the district, to beautiful parks, schools, museums and a soon-to-be revitalized Dumfries. In keeping with her can-do manner and years of successes, Caddigan says, “A lot of good has happened, and we continue to strive.”

Leya Perrine is the managing editor of The Montclairon.