INSIDE
9
9
Unitarians mark 60 years in Stafford
10
Episcopal church hosts craft sale
Mountian View boys lacrosse team on streak
VOLUME 28 | NUMBER 9
75¢
MAY 13, 2016 WWW.INSIDENOVA.COM
NORT HE R N V I R G I N I A M E DI A S E R V I C ES
School board OKs changes in personnel
Rouse swim center ready for the plunge
Cell-phone policy under review TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
T
he Stafford County School Board unanimously agreed to a reorganization of three positions Tuesday, as well as funding just over $88,700 to support the change. In late April, schools’ Superintendent Bruce Benson proposed to adjust and rename some positions and staff members’ responsibilities. In a letter to the school board dated April 30, Benson proposed phase one of the fiscal 2017 reorganization. It included eliminating administrative positions, including the director of instruction, the director of professional learning, the public information specialist and an Office of Public Information administrative support position. Benson also proposed to establish positions including an executive director of learning and organizational development, a director of strategic communication and community engagement, a communication analyst and a community engagement manager. Although some jobs are being eliminated, the newly created positions have combined some tasks and responsibilities from the current positions. Benson also proposed to update a web manager position to a digital communication development manager, establish a title I, II and II programs specialist using federal funds and upgrade a supervisor of testing position to become the supervisor of assessment and accountability. He also suggested adding an additional accountability specialist using $79,634 of the $88,788 in local, fiscal BOARD 2017funds. The remainPAGE 6 ing $9,154 is to be used to
The new athletic facility named for Stafford resident and U.S. Olympics swimmer Jeff Rouse features a zero-depth entry to a children’s swim area, at left, and a diving well at the other end, all heated to 84 degrees. PHOTOS BY: ALEKS DOLZENKO | INSIDENOVA
TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
he long-awaited Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center welcomed its first customers early last week, and its staff will show off the rest before the end of the month. Select amenities in the 76,000-squarefoot building debuted during a soft opening May 2, including the 5,000-square-foot fitness center, group exercise classrooms, a wellness pool, locker rooms, kids’ care, a basketball court and a café. The center’s general manager, Michelle Reedy, said that the opening is going great and the community is as excited as the center’s staff. “Being able to provide a place for families, adults and children to be active and get or stay healthy is important to the Rouse Center staff and Stafford County,” she said. An Olympic-sized, 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard recreation pool and the rest of the building are expected to open by May 23, according to Keith Dayton, Stafford County’s deputy county administrator. Exterior work on the building should be completed by May 6, Dayton said.
An Olympic-sized, 50-meter competition pool features a movable bulkhead and 900 spectator seats. Hopes are that the facility will draw regional swimming competitions.
The water in the competition pool is still being treated. The pool will feature a movable bulkhead and 900 spectator seats, and it is expected to be a hub for regional swim competitions. Approximately 800 memberships have been processed, according to the center. Costs vary based on age, resident status and preferred plans. The recreation pool features six 25-yard lanes and zero-depth entry to a children’s swim area. Heated to 84 degrees, it will offer lap swimming, water fitness classes and family swim activities.
The therapy or wellness pool is heated at 88 degrees and will be host to swimming lessons and open swim. Little Fish Swimming has contracted with the center to offer children’s swimming lessons, and The American Red Cross will offer lifeguard classes. In addition to aquatics, the center will offer leagues for adults and children, including adult volleyball, futsal (a modified form of soccer), basketball and pickleball, and Lil’ Kickers soccer for SWIM children. PAGE 6 Some of the group
STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
SUBSCRIBE TODAY INSIDENOVA.COM/ SUBSCRIBE STAFFORDNEWS@ INSIDENOVA.COM
8
57144 00401
8
(571) 208-8059