Winchester Education Foundation

10/16/2026

Our Executive Director Larry Weiss is on the road, visiting staff meetings in each Wi******er Public Schools to thank our incredible teachers and staff for their continued dedication to our students and community.
Thanks to our friends at McDonalds and the Nerangis family we were able to treat the staff at each school with a McCafe drink and breakfast sandwich.
This week we greeted the fabulous team at John Kerr Elementary School.

10/16/2026

Please take a minute to read this post which outlines our Wi******er Public Schools Superintendent's thoughts on the upcoming "One for Schools" referendum.

🏫 ONE FOR SCHOOLS: What could 1% mean for Wi******er students?

This November, Wi******er voters will consider a referendum that would authorize an additional local sales tax of up to 1% dedicated specifically to public school construction and major renovation projects.

As Superintendent, my responsibility is to make sure our community understands the need, the numbers, and what this could make possible.

Wi******er Public Schools has approximately $135 million in identified capital needs over the next 10 years. At the full 1%, the sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $8–10 million annually in dedicated revenue for qualifying school capital projects. By law, those dollars could only be used for eligible school construction, major renovations, and related financing costs.

But this is about much more than buildings.

The biggest proposed project is the replacement of Garland R. Quarles Elementary School—a project that could create a domino effect of opportunities across WPS:

🏫 A new Quarles Elementary School & Early Learning Center
→ Creates additional elementary capacity and centralizes preschool.

🎒 5th grade returns to our elementary schools
→ Moving from the current 5–6 intermediate model creates additional space at Daniel Morgan.

📚 Daniel Morgan becomes a true 6–8 middle school
→ Opening space for the Rhodes Alternative Education Program to move from temporary facilities into a permanent home with room to grow.

🛠️ More space at the Innovation Center
→ Creating the opportunity to expand Career & Technical Education with programs such as Automotive Service Technology and Cosmetology—giving even more students access to career-connected learning.

One project. A division-wide impact.

For years, we have worked to expand opportunities for students while also confronting the reality of aging facilities and significant capital needs. This referendum gives Wi******er voters the opportunity to decide whether a dedicated sales-tax revenue stream should become part of how our community addresses those needs.

I encourage our community to learn about the referendum, understand what it would fund, ask questions, and participate in the process.
👉 Learn more about 1 for Schools and WPS capital needs:
https://lnkd.in/e-B5F-Jq

Wi******er Public Schools ******erVA

10/14/2026

🌎🎶 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at John Handley High School!
Our Wi******er Education Foundation Executive Director Larry Weiss was delighted to attend the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly at John Handley High School, a vibrant celebration produced by and featuring talented members of the school's Latinos Unidos group.
This was truly a feast for the eyes and ears! 💃🎤 From colorful traditional dresses and authentic dance presentations to inspiring student vocal performances and the beloved annual Parade of Flags, the assembly showcased the rich cultures, traditions, and talents that make our Wi******er Public Schools community so special.
🎓 Celebrating Outstanding Students!
As part of this special occasion, the Wi******er Education Foundation was proud to present two $500 awards to outstanding students of Hispanic heritage: Horlando Cruz Mendoza and Andrea Carolina Rojas Barrios. Congratulations to both students on this well-deserved recognition!
👏 Congratulations to Latinos Unidos and all the students who worked to make this memorable celebration possible.
At the Wi******er Education Foundation, we're proud to support a school community where students can share their heritage, celebrate their identities, and learn from one another.
❤️🖤 Celebrating our students. Strengthening our community.
******erEducationFoundation ******erPublicSchools

10/14/2026

It's great to have friends! You could be our friend too with the purchase of your very own seat. https://winchestereducationfoundation.org/donate/

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

📚 Our schools need a plan for the future. And this referendum is part of that conversation.
With early voting now underway, the Wi******er Education Foundation Board of Directors has published an opinion piece explaining why we support a YES vote on the Wi******er school referendum.

Wi******er Public Schools has identified approximately $135 million in capital needs over the next 10 years — from major construction and renovations to aging roofs, HVAC systems, boilers, bathrooms, lighting, security and other essential infrastructure.
The referendum would give the City an additional tool to help address those needs while reducing reliance on real estate taxes alone.

👉 We encourage you to take a few minutes to read our full opinion piece, consider the facts, and make your voice heard.
Please vote YES for the Wi******er school referendum.
******erVA ******erPublicSchools

VOTE YES ON WI******ER SCHOOL REFERENDUM

With early voting underway for the fall 2026 election, voters in Wi******er will be considering an important referendum concerning the future of our Wi******er Public Schools. This referendum deserves serious consideration because it addresses a fundamental challenge facing our community: How do we pay for the construction, renovation and maintenance of our schools without placing the entire burden on Wi******er property owners? Wi******er Public Schools has identified approximately $135 million in capital needs over the next 10 years. These needs include new construction as well as replacing aging roofs, heating and air-conditioning systems, boilers, bathrooms, lighting and security systems, athletic practice facilities and other essential infrastructure. These aren’t cosmetic improvements. Like homeowners who eventually must replace an aging roof or heating system, our schools require significant investments as their facilities reach the end of their useful lives. Delaying necessary work can ultimately make it more expensive.

If approved, the referendum would give City Council an additional tool to address these needs, allowing them to levy an additional sales tax of up to 1%, with the revenue dedicated
exclusively to new construction and renovation of City schools. The tax would expire no later than July 14, 2046. There is another important consideration. Unlike the real estate tax, which is paid by property
owners, a sales tax is paid by everyone making taxable purchases in Wi******er — including
people who live outside the city but shop, work or visit here. Thus, the cost of supporting
our schools would be shared more broadly. The additional sales tax would not apply to groceries and other items that are exempt from the existing sales tax.

For years, Wi******er City Council has been a supportive financial partner of Wi******er Public
Schools. But the City’s options for funding major school capital projects are limited. This
referendum would provide an additional financial tool while reducing the need to rely exclusively
on real estate taxes for these investments. We recognize that no one welcomes another tax. But this referendum offers an opportunity to address our schools’ capital needs while reducing our dependence on the real estate property tax in doing so. Please vote “YES” to support our schools and lessen the burden on homeowners. Additional information is available at https://www.winchesterva.gov/Government/Budget-Financials/1-for-Schools

The Wi******er Education Foundation Board of Directors

10/11/2026

🏫 OUR SCHOOLS NEED INVESTMENT
has identified approximately $135 million in capital needs over the next 10 years.
That includes aging roofs, HVAC systems, boilers, bathrooms, lighting, security systems, athletic facilities and other essential infrastructure.
These aren't cosmetic improvements. They're investments needed to keep our schools safe, functional and ready for the future.

Vote YES on the Wi******er School Referendum.
Learn more: https://www.winchesterva.gov/Government/Budget-Financials/1-for-Schools
******erVA ******erPublicSchools

During the 2026 general election, voters in the City of Wi******er will be asked if an additional general retail sales tax not to exceed 1% be levied in the City. Revenue from the tax could only be used for qualifying capital projects involving the construction or major...

10/11/2026

Pick up your free yard sign and support our schools!

The Wi******er Education Foundation is distributing free yard signs to City residents who would like to show their support for the sales tax referendum to support school construction.

Signs can be picked up at the Wi******er Public Schools, 598 N. Kent St., M-F, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

During the 2026 General Election, City of Wi******er voters will consider a proposed local sales tax not to exceed 1% dedicated exclusively to qualifying public school construction & renovation. Learn more: www.winchesterva.gov/1-for-schools

10/08/2026

As the nonprofit whose sole mission is to support Wi******er Public Schools we could not be prouder.

The 2025–26 School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) results are out, and WPS shines!
⭐ 100% of WPS school scored above 80 points
⭐ John Handley High School's graduation rate for the Class of 2026 was 98%, the highest in recorded school history
⭐Student performance on SOLs improved across all four subject areas

Behind these results are the efforts of our students, staff, school leaders, and families. Thank you for helping WPS shine! More info: https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/