[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6270641,"mediaKeyId","3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909","parentId",3032644,"title","WJCC board trims FY26 requests after local funding falls short; multiple consent items approved","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",6561000,"endMs",7159000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909&start=6561&end=7159","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909/thumbnail_6561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270641/Virginia/WJCC-board-trims-FY26-requests-after-local-funding-falls-short-multiple-consent-items-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270641-b82d07254ed8536d50f46ad67e9cdc1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011238&Signature=ajpG9dWJZZIyYReDCbIpwBrjZ4oRqp1h3vXYMOuCy47xKR6vMRP5aXTMPQ74DASRXC~jCD5l9DiK3rGYqPNBlfl6TsbmydLepntXgeLe9HtXOvwAByl6W0Gvy-oFPRJiyARcBi38My2JcfwbuQeHlBr8ugzGZfuaK7C7CZ5aek96XxgdH~zu8UdJJICBNSbJjiJIE7iNr2FFPGP1X8AReWQiz~GmG6pt1K2nQpbFE2CP~YxzZo840dt6FT9mxIqSH6QKqrQ1fyatO4hVzu3KXUi1k1VfM3DnSXO3YWO~COubuyE0Id7qXWW6qDVd855PNSGSt6ePkY-pYxvEE8PvXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamsburg-James City Public School","date","2025-04-17T05:17:00.233Z","article","The Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Monday reviewed recommended reductions to its proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget after local funding proposals left a multi‑million-dollar gap.

Acting Superintendent Dr. Keever told the board staff had prioritized compensation and supports for students with the greatest need when assembling the initial “budget of need,” but that local budget documents produced a $7.3 million shortfall relative to the board’s request.

Finance director Renee Ewing reviewed recommended adjustments that would reduce expenditures by about $4.565 million, narrowing the gap. Those changes include trimming some position requests (from 48.85 FTEs requested to an administration recommendation of 13.85 FTEs), reducing certain program additions such as AP exam funding and summer school sites, and increasing budgeted attrition savings. After the proposed reductions, the remaining shortfall was $2.8 million before expected state aid.

Ewing told the board the General Assembly’s adopted budget is expected to provide additional state revenue; the division estimated a likely range of $750,000 to $1.9 million. Factoring that in would reduce the final gap to between about $815,000 and $2.0 million, which would require either additional local revenue or further cuts.

On capital projects, staff noted differences between the school board’s capital improvement plan and the localities’ proposed CIP funding. James City County’s draft budget funded the county’s share of requested projects, while the City of Williamsburg proposed smaller allocations and moved some items into a later fiscal year. Board members highlighted a roughly $1.5 million gap on the Cooley Field turf project as an example of capital funding constraints.

The board also approved its consent agenda and several routine purchase requests and contract awards. The consent agenda passed by voice vote; a summary of the major motions follows.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve consent agenda as presented (items 7.01–7.08). Mover: Mr. Riffle; Second: Miss Chen. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes (Mr. Riffle; Dr. Cavazos; Miss Chen; Mrs. Donner; Mr. Hossein; Mrs. Hundley; Mrs. Ortega). Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Approve personnel actions. Mover: Mr. Hossein; Second: Mrs. Hundley. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Approve adoption and purchase request for secondary English/Language Arts curriculum. Mover: Mrs. Hundley; Second: Mr. Riffle. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. (Amount as read in meeting was garbled in the transcript; record shows the purchase request was presented but the transcripted dollar figure is not reliable.)
- Motion: Approve local Carl D. Perkins plan and budget for career and technical education (SY 2025–26). Mover: (moved during consent) Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Approve adoption and purchase request for K–5 math materials (Kiddom). Mover: Miss Chen; Second: (second recorded). Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. Amount presented: $534,191.52.
- Motion: Approve purchase request to update aging analog phone systems across the division (annual contract). Mover: Mrs. Hundley; Second: Mr. Riffle. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. Amount presented: the transcript reads a total of approximately $112,698 (as read); see official purchase order for final figure.
- Motion: Approve controller upgrades at Stonehouse Elementary School. Mover: Mr. Hossein; Second: (second recorded). Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. Amount presented: $123,200.
- Motion: Approve award of contract for Matthew Whaley Elementary HVAC replacement (IFB #202‑50720). Mover: Mrs. Donner; Second: (second recorded). Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. Amount presented: $4,335,000 (as read in meeting).
- Motion: Approve purchase request for Berkeley Middle School walk‑in refrigerator replacement. Mover: Mr. Riffle; Second: Mrs. Hundley. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved. Amount presented: $105,951.92.
- Motion: Approve budget transfer request of $500,000 from transportation to operations and maintenance for utilities. Mover: Mr. Riffle; Second: Mrs. Hundley. Vote: Unanimous — 7 ayes. Outcome: approved.

Board members and staff emphasized that the division remains committed to prioritizing compensation and student supports, even as some requested positions and programs were recommended for reduction. “We believe that these positions continue to be necessary for the organization,” Ewing said, adding that the reductions were proposed to protect compensation increases and other higher priorities.

Dr. Keever said the administration will return to the board with any additional information after local budgets and the governor’s decisions are finalized; the board plans to consider any updates at its May meetings and adopt a final budget later in the month.

The FY26 budget and CIP remain subject to negotiation with the city and county funding partners and to final action after state aid figures are confirmed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WJCC School Board Regular Meeting from 4/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Monday reviewed recommended reductions to its proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget after local funding proposals left a multi‑million‑dollar gap.","taxTitle","WILLIAMSBURG-JAMES CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14522,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6270645,"Community split at WJCC meeting over renaming James Blair Middle School",1471,2105000,3576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909&start=2105&end=3576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909/thumbnail_2105000.jpg","/articles/6270645/Virginia/Community-split-at-WJCC-meeting-over-renaming-James-Blair-Middle-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270645-1fcb52572df57d7954b96bcec1829863/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011238&Signature=NjyAf6XxDBQTP5eR8EGP9YRZHDVcNN07CzWUM9NCmNCVk5ZL~~xHwiIsdV0YZTb1OOT4vH1-i141L0C9ELhu~ki75G8Z8SYlcBHkNBD~T2dR2SBDqs-UKxCI19qJiIZ6oGRnDvqi002J34JQ4dudmiY-MbSjFf-quc7ej7~aJtz8sj-K2EUjzAJeSq6zxzuoiVsD5lAzWQqScOsSueODzyhdsGg2~ZflsE8Yhacx5w5mQwyRKyb~QU~9Ru4m1QV9c7CaAo7cs7L2FLOAwyW2Ks3uomttWMS2PuJkJdviynF-mc7yjRr5n-fHdTSV3cMs29ilDHQrLbcx2S3Xc30LmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and community advocates used the school board’s public comment period to press opposing views on whether James Blair Middle School should be renamed.

Some speakers, including Jackie Bridgeforth Williams, executive director of The Village Initiative, urged the board to remove the name because Blair enslaved people and other community landmarks honor that legacy. “If [Martin Luther King Jr.] cannot be on our schools, then a slaver should not be on our schools,” Bridgeforth Williams said.

Others said renaming is the wrong priority while test scores and classroom supports lag. “At a time when taxation is a serious issue, we’re looking at a school board that’s getting ready to throw tax money away,” said Robert Mandrioli, a resident, who asked how renaming would directly help special education or bilingual programs. Several speakers cited estimated renaming costs ranging from roughly $100,000 to $180,000 and questioned whether the money would better serve students.

“Respect the survey and not ignore it,” said Mike Joseph, a James City County resident, referencing a district questionnaire he said opposed renaming. At the same time, other speakers said changing a school name does not erase history and that students should not attend a school named for an enslaver.

Board members did not take a vote or direct immediate action on the renaming at Monday’s meeting. The board’s announcements noted that the James Blair Middle School renaming consideration committee is scheduled to meet April 16, a step in the division’s review process.

Speakers who addressed the renaming question included former school staff, long-time residents and parents. Testimony covered community history, competing priorities for limited funds, and differing views on how to remember the past in public schools. Several speakers asked for broader transparency and for the board to weigh educational outcomes, not only symbolic changes.","Members of the public both urged the school board to remove James Blair’s name from a middle school because of his ties to slavery and urged officials to preserve the name and spend funds on classroom needs. Speakers cited cost estimates and the need to prioritize reading and teacher support; no formal board action was taken at the meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6270649,"Students, coaches urge WJCC to make lacrosse a VHSL sport",3693,1782000,5475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909&start=1782&end=5475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032644-3202577097c02bc5171a7620e1b7b909/thumbnail_1782000.jpg","/articles/6270649/Virginia/Students-coaches-urge-WJCC-to-make-lacrosse-a-VHSL-sport","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270649-15eb3afa7a86280623335b63ca6c7980/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011238&Signature=dj2ODdlEBpL71k80SEIINGE2PK5sn~5SMDtHiehnraRssNUFi0i9XznrZYMildqtnYaEeCnUsY~n7mfArtZAEC9tvxiYC~R-bjgId0B43wFnPHwxqurGRsCwe7EXoIhzFnGBEVyWFxcF0CuglXJTFLmGpk6FqW2WlnMkoWNgcq2-cAOtG~Ez9X90Wv3XSHvIfkTsbYc2w0qvovisu8wUQkvim6GL1QGLPLgMLeWJBtTbMMMtuotDtb8on8OYXTWY-5C0kOxYBDRhQP0SmwN5Kkd9~U9TEU~den9TosEPl1Tx8RUZFkcvKYebuUYrjZ9uFpLW5m50Vxgw-tFJcRsu2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, parents and coaches told the Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Monday that lacrosse should be added as an official VHSL varsity sport in the division.

The public comment period drew a steady stream of speakers — including high school players, middle school athletes, coaches and parents — who said making lacrosse a VHSL sport would increase college recruiting exposure, reduce costs for families and expand opportunities for students who currently must fund club play themselves.

“Players like this deserve the same visibility and resources as other varsity athletes,” said Jason Matsumma, president of the Lafayette Lacrosse Club and a member of the club’s coaching staff. “We lose students from our program because they can’t afford club fees or must leave the area to pursue opportunities.”

Coaches and student-athletes said club status limits recruiting and scholarship opportunities. “If lacrosse were a VHSL sport, scouts would look at our players with the same frequency as other varsity athletes,” said John Flanagan, a veteran coach who said many Lafayette players also excel in other sports and academics. Senior Tyson Long told the board he plans to leave the school system to pursue divisional lacrosse next year unless varsity options become available.

Players and parents also pressed a budget point: turf and facility upgrades that would host high school lacrosse games are included in the capital improvement plan but face funding gaps. Board member Riffle noted a roughly $1.5 million shortfall on the Cooley Field turf project during the budget discussion, and urged speakers to advocate with city and county funding partners.

Board members acknowledged the speakers and signaled interest. “I can’t say we, but I will do everything that I can to help you and get lacrosse into our school system,” said Mr. Hossein, a board member. No formal motion or vote on adding lacrosse to the VHSL schedule took place at the meeting.

Speakers who testified included student-athletes from Lafayette and Warhill high schools, several middle school players, club leaders and parents who said many local players have gone unrecruited because their teams are classified as clubs. Some coaches described players who moved away to seek college exposure.

The board’s discussion later in the evening on the FY26 capital improvement plan and operating budget highlighted funding constraints that would affect any move to varsity status. Board members said they are continuing conversations with municipal funding partners and will examine options for facilities and recurring costs before taking formal action.

For now, the division took testimony but made no change to policies or budgets that would immediately create a VHSL lacrosse program. Advocacy from players, coaches and parents is likely to continue as the board and its funding partners finalize the FY26 operating and capital budgets.","Dozens of students, parents and coaches urged the Williamsburg-James City County School Board to add boys’ and girls’ lacrosse as Virginia High School League (VHSL) varsity sports, saying the change would increase college exposure, reduce cost barriers and expand student opportunities. Board members expressed support but took no formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

WJCC board trims FY26 requests after local funding falls short; multiple consent items approved

Community split at WJCC meeting over renaming James Blair Middle School

Students, coaches urge WJCC to make lacrosse a VHSL sport