New Agreement for Williamsburg-James City County Schools Expected Soon
A new contract to govern the Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) school division may be finalized in the coming weeks, according to Chairwoman Sarah Ortego of the school board. During a work session on August 29, 2023, Ortego informed board members that negotiations are progressing and a new agreement could be established soon.
The work session followed a committee meeting that examined the details of the contract. This committee includes key figures such as School Board Vice Chair Andrea Donnor, Superintendent Daniel Keever, James City County Supervisor Ruth Larson, and County Administrator Scott Stevens. Additionally, Williamsburg Councilor Stacy Kern-Scheerer, Vice Mayor Pat Dent, and City Manager Andrew Trivette have participated in discussions.
The need for a new contract arises from a situation that dates back to June 2023, when the Williamsburg City Council initiated a feasibility study to explore the possibility of the city operating as an independent school system. In response, leaders from James City County voted to terminate the longstanding joint contract that had been in place since 1955, which expired in June.
In recent months, both parties have been working diligently to negotiate a new agreement. Ortego stated that significant progress has been made, emphasizing the collaborative effort to address the needs of both county and city students. “They’ve spent many hours working through various scenarios in order to find the most fair solution that will ensure that various needs of both county students and city students are met,” she noted.
As the discussions continue, Ortego indicated that the parties involved are finalizing some details but share a common goal of achieving a joint agreement. “We are hopeful that that will in fact occur soon,” she remarked.
Currently, the WJCC school division serves approximately 11,000 students, with around 10,000 from James City County and 1,000 from Williamsburg. Prior statements from James W. Robinson, a member of the school board, highlighted the aim of both sides to achieve “an equitable sharing of the cost” associated with operating the school division.
As this situation unfolds, the local community remains attentive to the developments in what has historically been a cooperative educational framework in the region. The outcome of these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of education for students in both jurisdictions.
