The three public school districts that serve our community are bound by one theme — change.

This past year, both Spotsylvania and Stafford county public schools hired new superintendents. In Spotsylvania, Clint Mitchell was named the new superintendent over the summer. He takes control at a time of change in the county. Prior to his arrival, the county was roiled by board members and several parents sympathetic to Moms for Liberty, who advocated banning books. Mitchell has focused on stabilizing the district and refocusing on academics. With a long track record of success leading schools and districts in Virginia to success on state standardized testing, expectations are high he will do the same in Spotsylvania.

In November, Stafford named Daniel Smith its new leader. He replaces Thomas Taylor, who enjoyed a successful tenure strengthening technical education, elevating student achievement, and raising the bar for how a public school system should operate. Smith is still fairly new to his role, and the Advance has yet to sit down with him. That will happen in the new year; until then, we look forward to observing his efforts as he takes the helm of the area’s largest school district.

Marci Catlett has been superintendent of Fredericksburg City Schools since 2019. For the 2024-2025 school year, she has instituted a major change. The district, which has long struggled with low standardized test scores, has joined the Comprehensive Instructional Program (CIP), a consortium of over 70, mostly small, school districts in Virginia that share resources and administrative duties in an effort to free teachers to focus on teaching. The program, born in 2014, has been remarkably successful.

All three districts this year have also ventured into banning cellphones in the classroom. Fredericksburg was the first to act, requiring students to lock phones and other Bluetooth-connected devices into Yondr pouches that can only be opened at the end of the day. Stafford has instituted a no-cellphone policy but does not require students to lock their phones away. Spotsylvania is finalizing its approach, which will be rolled out in 2025.