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APRIL 14, 2017 | NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDIA SERVICES
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School board talks elementary redistricting for Falmouth area TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
T
he Stafford County School Board pored over elementary-school redistricting options at a meeting Tuesday. The topic follows high-school redistricting decisions made late last month that drew a high volume of community interest and debate. Tuesday’s discussion centered on possibilities for redistricting Falmouth Elementary School, effective in the 2017-18 school year. The FES redistricting is being discussed to address overcrowding at Margaret Brent Elementary School and transportation travel times at Ferry Farm Elementary School and MBES. Debating all components of moving the students around, school board member Holly Hazard, Hartwood District pointed out: “I think we have a broader issue of, how full do we really want the schools in Stafford County?” On March 10, Stafford County Public Schools staff provided four potential options for the school board to consider and on March 16, the board held a public hearing at Gayle Middle School. Tuesday’s discussion was for information only, but the board could decide on one of the options at is April 25 meeting. If so, school staff plans to immediately notify all schools, students and parents impacted. The selected option with detailed information will also be posted on the schools system’s website. Option one moves 45 students from area planning unit 108 England Run North sections four and seven from MBES to FES and 65 students in APU 189 The Manor at England Run Apartments from MBES to FES. That would take MBES down from 895 to 785 students (83 percent capacity) next school year and FES up from 583 to BOARD 693 students (87 percent capacPAGE 13 ity).
The 2017 Stafford Hospital Foundation 5K brought out 509 runners on April 18 at the hospital campus. Hampton Oaks Elementary School won the schools’ race while Hilldrup Moving and Storage won the corporate challenge. In the past nine years, the run has raised over $160,000 for the work of the foundation. PHOTO BY WEADON PHOTOGRAPHY
General the dog hits the road, for a little stroll GREG HAMBRICK
ghambrick@insidenova.com
eneral didn’t know where he was going, but the resourceful Great Pyrenees knew it was time to leave the boarding house at Aquia-Garrisonville Animal Hospital early Monday. The dog’s amazing escape from the Garrisonville Road facility — opening several doors before exiting the building — screens like a jailbreak from the best Hollywood blockbusters. And the story has a Hollywood ending, too. The hospital reported late Monday that General was found safe and sound, resting in a neighbor’s yard. Hospital staff discovered Monday that the dog was missing, but how? Security video from the 4 a.m. escape was shared by WJLA. The missing dog, in fact, had opened door after door until he was out the back and on the lam. Stafford County Animal Control
and sheriff ’s deputies helped staff members search for General all day. Around 8:30 p.m., the hospital reported that General had been found not far from the hospital. Neighbors reported the dog had been resting in their yard since 11 a.m. A sheriff ’s
STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
PHOTO BY AQUIA-GARRISONVILLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
deputy returned him to the hospital. “A special thanks to Stafford Animal Control, Stafford Sheriff ’s and the many friends of AGAH who supported us through this stressful time,” read a message on the hospital’s Facebook page.
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