Civil and Municipal - Jan 2024

growth that’s happening in Stafford County,” he adds. COMMITMENT TO SCHOOL SAFETY In terms of school safety, Dr. Taylor underscores the importance of the strong partnership between the school system and the local sheriff’s office. “I am so proud of that relationship,” he remarks. “Our Sheriff, David Decatur, is one of the best in the country. He has a team of just phenomenal experts that have worked hard to build a relationship with us and to be on the same page about safety, community safety, not just school safety.” The presence of a school resource officer in every school, combined with comprehensive safety plans and a focus on culture and climate, reflects the focus on creating safe and welcoming learning environments.“Campus safety is my number one priority, and this community supports that,” Dr. Taylor stresses. “Even though it has a transient component tied to the military, and tied to Washington, this community is very tight-knit, and wants to see everyone be safe and wants to work together.” INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Showcasing an innovative spirit, Stafford County Schools has taken on initiatives like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where accounting students help families with tax preparation. “We are the first school system in Virginia, and one of only a handful to start the VITA program with the IRS. Our accounting students are certified tax preparers and have done tax preparation for economically disadvantaged families in our community,” Dr. Taylor elaborates. “I’m so excited. We have 19 of our accounting kids at two different school sites who are fully certified. And just this past year, they processed some 53 tax returns for families in need.” Another significant initiative is the Bringing Occupational Opportunities To Students (BOOTS) program, where the district builds a home every two years. Not only is this an excellent opportunity for the community, but it also benefits the school, through both skill development and funding. 300 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01