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North Stafford’s football team back on track VOL. 29 | NUM. 31
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OCTOBER 13, 2017 | NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDIA SERVICES
RESCUED EAGLE SOARS
Elementary class sizes reduced in Stafford TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
he Stafford County School Board is satisfied with work done over the last two years to reduce class sizes in the schools system’s elementary schools, board members noted Tuesday. “We’ve made great strides over two years but we need to maintain it,” said Holly Hazard, who leads the Hartwood district and serves as the school board’s chairwoman. Hazard said that growth is one thing, but the board doesn’t want it to be at the expense of class sizes. Total enrollment division-wide increased by 446 students compared to last year, not including preschool, said Pam Kahle, associate superintendent for instruction at Stafford County Public Schools. Kahle provided an update on elementary classroom sizes based on student enrollment as of Sept. 30 this year. There are currently no elementary-school classes in SCPS with 28 or more students, she said. In 2015-2016, 48 elementary-school classes had 28 or more students, with 19 of the classes having 30 or more students.
The average class size in the elementary schools is now 22.5 students, down slightly from 22.9 last year. The maximum number of students in classes in 2015-2016 was 32 students and 27 this year. There are 12,376 elementary school students attending Stafford County Public Schools. Of 542 elementary classes divisionwide, 540 classes met their class-size goals. An additional teaching vacancy has been advertised to address the two classes that exceed class-size goals, according to a SCPS press release. “In the fall of 2015, the school board committed to reducing elementary class sizes through use of its revised staffing standards and targeted budget priorities, in response to concerns about increasing class sizes and its subsequent impact on student learning raised by parents and staff,” Hazard said “This report affirms the positive results stemming from the board’s commitment to elementary class-size reduction.” School board Vice Chairman Scott Hirons, CLASS SIZES
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19 firearms, 40 pounds of marijuana seized in Stafford bust ALEKSANDER DOLZENKO
adolzenko@insidenova.com
Wildlife Center of Virginia President Ed Clark takes part in the release of an American bald eagle on Oct. 9 at Caledon State Park in King George. The young eagle was found injured in Stafford County earlier this year. SEE MORE ON PAGE 7. MARTY VAN DUYNE | NEWS NET NEWS FOR INSIDENOVA
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fter a month-long investigation led by the Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office, an Orange County man was taken into custody this week, and 40 pounds of marijuana and 19 firearms were seized during a search of his residence., according to Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office
spokesperson Amanda Vicinanzo. James Adam Cooper, 38, of Locust Grove, was pulled over on Va. 17 by Stafford deputies. A canine search of his vehicle found two pounds of marijuana and a small sum of money. The traffic stop led to the subsequent investigation of Cooper’s STAFFORD BUST
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STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
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