Prince William 8.19.24

On 07/18/24, HEAV posted an alert in regard to an alarming email sent to Prince William County homeschool families soliciting participation in a “student emotional well-being” assessment. The message was delivered through a company called SchoolStatus in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While HEAV’s investigation has confirmed this communication was sent to homeschoolers in error, we remain focused on addressing the apparent privacy breach.

State law prohibits public school districts from disclosing information that is provided by a parent or student to satisfy the home instruction statute or subdivision B1 of §22.1-254 to any person or entity outside the local school division.

PWCS does not deny they have provided homeschoolers’ information to SchoolStatus. However, the division’s attorney responded to HEAV by stating that, based on his discussions with staff, the division operates in full compliance with Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 and any other statute related to home instruction.

HEAV believes the division’s attorney has failed to sufficiently investigate and address the apparent privacy breach, and we are currently working with Scott Woodruff of HSLDA to address these privacy considerations. We are not recommending that families take action at this point as we continue to work with PWCS’s Office of Division Counsel. Please be assured, we will continue to provide updates as this situation develops.

For immediate assistance, please call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200, and ask for Patricia Beahr, HEAV’s Director of Government Affairs.