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Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Coordinates: 38°11′N 77°39′W / 38.18°N 77.65°W / 38.18; -77.65
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Spotsylvania County
County
Spotsylvania County Courthouse
Spotsylvania County Courthouse
Official seal of Spotsylvania County
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Spotsylvania County
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°11′N 77°39′W / 38.18°N 77.65°W / 38.18; -77.65
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1721
Named forAlexander Spotswood
SeatSpotsylvania Courthouse
Largest communitySpotsylvania Courthouse
Area
 • Total414 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land401 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  3.1%
 • Density301/sq mi (116.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 7th
Websitewww.spotsylvania.va.us

Spotsylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2013 estimate, the population was 127,348.[1] Its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse.[2]

Spotsylvania County is considered to be a part of Northern Virginia and is a part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Spotsylvania County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Manahoac.[3]

Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood.

Many battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

Stonewall Jackson was shot and mortally wounded in Spotsylvania County during the Battle of Chancellorsville. A group of Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were in the woods and heard General Jackson's party returning from reconnoitering the Union lines. They mistook him for a Federal patrol and fired their weapons, wounding him in both arms. His left arm was amputated. General Jackson died a few days later from pneumonia at nearby Guinea Station. Confederate wounded were being gathered there for evacuation to hospitals further to the south and away from enemy lines.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 414 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 401 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (3.1%) is water.[4]

It is bounded on the north by the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, the independent city of Fredericksburg (all of which were part of the area's early history), and the counties of Stafford and Culpeper; on the south by the North Anna River and its impoundment, Lake Anna, and by the counties of Hanover and Louisa; on the west by Orange County and Culpeper County; and on the east by Caroline County.

Adjacent counties and independent city

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179011,252—
180013,00215.6%
181013,2962.3%
182014,2547.2%
183015,1346.2%
184015,1610.2%
185014,911−1.6%
186016,0767.8%
187011,728−27.0%
188014,82826.4%
189014,233−4.0%
19009,239−35.1%
19109,9357.5%
192010,5716.4%
193010,056−4.9%
19409,905−1.5%
195011,92020.3%
196013,81915.9%
197016,42418.9%
198034,435109.7%
199057,40366.7%
200090,39557.5%
2010122,39735.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2012[1]

As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 122,397 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile (87/km²). There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile (32/km²). The racial makeup of the county was:

7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,308 households out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 16.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the county, the population was spread out with 30.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The 2006 median income for a household in the county was $72,453, and the median income for a family was $75,507. Males had a median income of $49,166 versus $38,076 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,458. About 3.90% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.[10]

Law and government

County government

Spotsylvania County's highest level of management is that of County Administrator. C. Douglas Barnes is the County Administrator. He oversees all county departments and agencies and serves as the Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors' liaison to state and regional agencies.

Board of Supervisors

Spotsylvania is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The board consists of seven members (one from each district within the county). The Board of Supervisors sets county policies, adopts ordinances, appropriates funds, approves land rezoning and special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and carries out other responsibilities set forth by the county code.[11]

The following is the current list of supervisors and districts which they represent:

Position Name Affiliation District
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Chairman David Ross Republican Courtland
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Vice Chairman Tim McLaughlin Independent Chancellor
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Member Greg Cebula Republican Berkeley
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Member Chris Yakabouski Republican Battlefield
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Member Ann L. Heidig Republican Livingston
Template:American politics/party colors/Independent|  Member Gary Skinner Independent Lee's Hill
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican|  Member Dr. Paul D. Trampe Independent Salem

State representation

Virginia House of Delegates
Office Name Party District
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Delegate Robert D. "Bobby" Orrock Republican Party 54
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Delegate Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. Republican Party 55
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Delegate Peter Farrell Republican Party 56
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Delegate Mark Cole Republican Party 88
Virginia State Senate
Office Name Party District
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Senator Ryan McDougle Republican Party 4
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Senator Bryce Reeves Republican Party 17
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| Senator Richard Stuart Republican Party 28

Federal representation

Spotsylvania residents are represented by either Eric Cantor (R-7th District) or Rob Wittman (R-1st District) in the House of Representatives. The current U.S. Senators from the Commonwealth of Virginia are Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D).

Education

Public schools

Main article: Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Location
8020 River Stone Drive
Spotsylvania
Fredericksburg
, Virginia, 22407
United States
District information
TypePublic, school division
MottoTogether, we prepare our students for their future.
GradesK–12
SuperintendentDr. Clint Mitchell
Schools31
Students and staff
Students24,064 (2023-24)
Teachers1,846[12]
Other information
Websitewww.spotsylvania.k12.va.us

Spotsylvania County Public Schools is a public school district serving Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It consists of 17 Elementary, 7 Middle, and 5 High Schools and has a total enrollment of nearly 24,000 students.[13] The Spotsylvania County School division also has a Career and Technical Center and participates with other local school systems to offer the Commonwealth Governor's School. The district partners with area businesses to develop learning opportunities for the students.[14]

History

In 1870 the public education system in Spotsylvania County was established with segregated one-room schools. These schools were gradually abandoned for larger buildings combining both elementary and high schools. The former Spotsylvania High School was a state-of-the-art building when constructed in 1939 for $158,000. During the twentieth century, the school system moved from scattered one-room schools for elementary education to consolidated schools for grades 1–12, to an integrated system in 1968. Until that time, most African American children attended one-room schools until the John J. Wright Consolidated School opened in 1952. Since 1968, the school system has evolved to the present system of separate elementary, middle, and high schools.[15][16]

Robert E. Lee High School became the first accredited high school in the County in 1920. It was built in 1914 at Spotsylvania Courthouse. The building was destroyed by fire in 1941.[17]

More recently, the district pushed their start dates to before Labor Day (2005), switched from 7 period day (50-minute class) schedule to an A Day/B Day block schedule with 90-minute class periods at the secondary level (2006), implemented the Parents Acess for Students' Success (PASS) program (2008), and switched to a 10-point grading system[16].

In early 2021, Robert E. Lee Elementary had its name changed to Spotsylvania Elementary.[18]

In November 2021, the school board decided that any book it deemed to have explicit sexuality be taken out of circulation from school libraries.[19] However, a lawyer for the board decided that this would be against the United States Constitution, and the board rescinded the plan.[20]

Scott Baker, the superintendent, announced his resignation in 2021 and planned to leave his post at the termination of his existing contract.[21] In January 2022, the composition of the school board changed due to an election, and the largest faction in members had conservative beliefs. The new board immediately fired Baker despite the fact he had already resigned.[22] In September 2022 the board selected Mark Taylor as the new superintendent; Taylor had no prior experience in the educational sector. A group of parents, criticized the move.[23]

On January 23, 2024, superintendent Mark Taylor was placed on administrative leave for unknown reasons.[24]

Governance

Superintendent

The superintendent of Spotsylvania County Public Schools is Dr. Clint Mitchell. Prior to his appointment in 2024, he served as superintendent of Colonial Beach Public Schools. He was also the 2024 Virginia Region III Superintendent of the Year and the 2021 Virginia Principal of the Year[25].

School Board

The school board has seven members elected to oversee the school administration. School board members are elected every four years. One school board member is elected from each magisterial district in the county. The elections are staggered and non-partisan.[26]

The following are the current school board members.[27]

Position Name District Year Elected
Chairperson Dr. Lorita Daniels Salem 2021
Vice-Chairperson Nicole Cole Battlefield 2023
Member April Gilespie Berkeley 2021
Member Megan Jackson Livingston 2023
Member Carol Medawar Courtland 2023
Member Lisa A. Phelps Lee Hill 2021
Member Belen Rodas Chancellor 2023

School board member arrested for forgery

On February 23, 2023, school board member (and former chairman) Kirk Twigg was arrested on two charges: forging a public record, a felony, and tampering with a county record, a misdemeanor. Twigg was indicted by a Spotsylvania grand jury before turning himself in at a magistrate's office. He was released on a personal recognizance bond. Though court records do not state specifically what Twigg is suspected of doing, both alleged offenses took place on or about June 21 and involve a county contract. Twigg was the chairman of the school board at that time.[28] Twigg had also received national attention when, during a school board meeting in 2021, he publicly called for burning books stating that he wanted to "see the books before we burn them so we can identify within our community that we are eradicating this bad stuff."[29]

In December of 2023, a deal was worked out by special prosecutor Jim Hingeley, the commonwealth’s attorney in Albemarle County, and defense attorney Jeffrey Mangeno, whereby the felony charge against Twigg was dismissed. Twigg did not enter a plea to the misdemeanor charge, but that charge will also be dismissed in a year as long as Twigg complies with certain conditions and pays restitution totaling $10,164 by Dec. 20 of 2024.[30]

Schools

High Schools

Middle School

  • Battlefield Middle School
  • Chancellor Middle School
  • Freedom Middle School
  • Ni River Middle School
  • Post Oak Middle School
  • Spotsylvania Middle School
  • Thornburg Middle School

Elementary Schools

  • Battlefield Elementary School
  • Berkeley Elementary School
  • Brock Road Elementary School
  • Cedar Forest Elementary School
  • Chancellor Elementary School
  • Courthouse Road Elementary School
  • Courtland Elementary School
  • Harrison Road Elementary School
  • Spotsylvania Elementary School
  • Lee Hill Elementary School
  • Livingston Elementary School
  • Parkside Elementary School
  • Riverview Elementary School
  • Salem Elementary School
  • Smith Station Elementary School
  • Spotswood Elementary School
  • Wilderness Elementary School

Commonwealth Governor's School

Main article: Commonwealth Governor's School

The Commonwealth Governor's School (CGS) is one of 18 magnet Governor's Schools in Virginia. The Commonwealth Governor's School is a half-day program for gifted and highly motivated students based on a school-within-a-school model. Admissions are competitive to try out. You have to create a project of anything you like and describe it to two teachers, there is also a review of school disciplinary history and teacher recommendations) students are selected from Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George counties. Students may attend CGS grades 9 through 12.

John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center

Main article: John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center

John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center is built on the site of the first high school for black students in Spotsylvania County. The original building, known as the Snell Training School, was built in 1913 by the Spotsylvania Sunday School Union under the leadership of John J. Wright, a prominent county educator.

The original building was destroyed by fire in 1941. The Spotsylvania County School Board agreed to erect a new school on 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land donated by the Sunday School Union and to pay the teachers' salaries. Completed in 1952, the John J. Wright Consolidated School was opened to all county black youth in grades 1–12. When the school system integrated in 1968, the school became John J. Wright School, housing the county's entire sixth and seventh grade enrollment.

In 1978, with the closing of Spotsylvania Junior High School and the opening of Battlefield Intermediate School, the eighth grade was moved to the intermediate level.

During 1981–82, while the John J. Wright building underwent extensive renovation, the school occupied the current Marshall Building across from the present day Spotsylvania Middle School. In the fall of 1982, John J. Wright School reopened with many added improvements, including central air conditioning, wall-to-wall carpet and a new kitchen and cafeteria.

With the opening of Spotsylvania Intermediate School in the fall of 1982, John J. Wright Intermediate School began serving the predominantly southern portion of Spotsylvania County, with an approximate enrollment of 700 students in grades six, seven, and eight.

On July 1, 1990, the name John J. Wright Intermediate School was officially changed to John J. Wright Middle School in keeping with the Commonwealth's restructuring plan for middle school education.

In 1991–92, John J. Wright Middle School was recognized by the Virginia Department of Education for its outstanding middle school practices, including reading and public speaking, community involvement, rewards and recognition, and technology education.

During the summer of 1997, two areas of John J. Wright Middle School were dedicated to two long-term employees. The library was dedicated in honor of Dr. Sadie Coates Combs Johnson, a former teacher and librarian for thirty-one years. The athletic fields were dedicated in honor of William H. Poindexter, custodian of John J. Wright Middle School. In April of the following spring, a ceremony was held to dedicate a sign, commissioned and funded by a joint Parent Teacher Organization and community endeavor, identifying the fields behind the school as the William H. Poindexter Athletic Fields.

In 2001, the school board commissioned an architectural firm to propose a plan to renovate and expand JJW's facilities. Due to the cost of the needed improvements and the inability to purchase additional land to expand the athletic fields, the school board decided to build a replacement building for JJW to open in 2006, adjacent to Spotsylvania High School.

In 2008, after extensive renovations and modernization the doors reopened as the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center. Today, John J. Wright offers educational services to Spotsylvania County students from Pre-K through 12th Grade.[31]

Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center

A Spotsylvania Career and Tech Dentistry student practices what they have learned hands on.[32]

The Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center, commonly referred to as SCTC, serves all the High Schools in the Spotsylvania school district. Most students who apply to one of the nineteen programs at the center often commit to a two-year program of study. The SCTC mission statement is "The mission of the Center is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce directly out of high school or to enter a post-secondary educational or training program that compliments their program of study at the SCTC.[33]" Some of the pathway programs students are able to enroll in include Metal Trades, Health and Medical Pathways, Construction Pathways, Video/Media Pathways, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Veterinary Science.

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Swanton, John R. (1952), The Indian Tribes of North America, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 61–62, ISBN 0-8063-1730-2, OCLC 52230544
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  9. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  10. ^ Census Bureau Median Income Figures, census.gov.
  11. ^ Spotsylvania County Home : Departments : Board of Supervisors
  12. ^ "At A Glance". Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  13. ^ "VDOE :: Fall Membership". Doe.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  14. ^ Annette Jones (2005-09-13). "Incentives for Education Businesses Encourage Learning". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  15. ^ Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
  16. ^ a b "Spotsylvania County Public Schools". www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  17. ^ Historical Marker Database
  18. ^ Uphaus-Conner, Adele (January 12, 2021). "Spotsylvania School Board changes name of Robert E. Lee Elementary". Culpeper Star-Exponent. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  19. ^ Leshan, Bruce (2021-11-10). "Spotsylvania school board orders 'sexually explicit' books removed from libraries". WUSA-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  20. ^ Arnold, Jess; Satterfield, Kolbie (2021-11-16). "After public backlash, Spotsylvania school board will not remove 'sexually explicit' books from libraries". WUSA-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  21. ^ Satterfield, Kolbie (2021-12-13). "Controversy over books in Spotsylvania County schools continue as its Superintendent resigns". WUSA-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  22. ^ Leshan, Bruce (2022-01-11). "Spotsylvania school board scrambles after abrupt firing of superintendent". WUSA-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  23. ^ Nolen, Casey; Cremen, Alanea (2022-09-16). "'Insulting' | Parents, teachers angry after Spotsylvania School Board selects man with no education experience to be new superintendent". WUSA-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  24. ^ Carey, Julie; Chief • •, News4 Northern Virginia Bureau (2024-01-24). "Spotsylvania County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Taylor placed on administrative leave". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2024-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Lockman, JeanneTyler Moodee (2024-06-24). "Spotsylvania County names Dr. Clint Mitchell as next superintendent". WJLA. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  26. ^ "Spotsylvania County Code". Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  27. ^ "Members / Members".
  28. ^ Epps, Keith (24 February 2023). "Spotsylvania School Board member charged with forgery". Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  29. ^ Haltiwanger, John (10 Nov 2021). "Virginia school board members call for books to be burned amid GOP's campaign against schools teaching about race and sexuality". Business Insider. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  30. ^ Epps, Keith (23 December 2023). "Albemarle commonwealth's attorney works out deal to keep ex-Spotsylvania School Board chair out of prison". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  31. ^ John J. Wright Alumni Association http://jjwalumni.org/
  32. ^ LANCE–STAR, EMILY JENNINGS THE FREE. "Area businesses can check out Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center at open house". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  33. ^ "About SCTC / About SCTC". www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us. Retrieved 2022-02-17.

Private schools

Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg Christian School, Odyssey Montessori School, Saint Patrick School, Saint Michael the Archangel High School, and Faith Baptist Christian School are private schools that serve the area.

Colleges and universities

Germanna Community College is part of the Virginia Community College System and serves the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, Culpeper, and King George.

The University of Mary Washington located in nearby Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a four-year university and graduate school that also serves the area.

Emergency services

Fire and rescue services in Spotsylvania County are provided by a combination of career and volunteer organizations. These organizations work together to provide quality service to the citizens of Spotsylvania County. The career staff of the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management provide fire and rescue services from 04:40 AM until 6:00 PM Monday through Friday at stations 1(Courthouse), 4(Four Mile Fork), 5(Five Mile Fork), and 8(Thornburg). Medic 2(Brokenburg) and Medic 10(Salem Fields) also utilize that schedule. Stations 3(Partlow), 6(Salem Church), 7(Wilderness), 9(Belmont), and the Engine Companies at 2(Brokenburg) and 10(Salem Fields), are all staffed 24/7 by career staff. The volunteer organizations include: Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue, The Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department, and The Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad.[1]

Communities

Points of interest

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Spotsylvania County Fire;Rescue and Emergency Services Volunteer Agencies
  2. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  3. ^ "A Virginian in Short". enlou.com. Retrieved November 3, 2009.

38°11′N 77°39′W / 38.18°N 77.65°W / 38.18; -77.65

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