News Summary
A new agreement governing the Williamsburg-James City County school division is anticipated to be finalized shortly, following nearly a year of negotiations. Chairwoman Sarah Ortego updated that the committee, comprising school board and local government leaders, has made significant progress. The need for a new contract arose after the previous one expired in June. Both municipalities are working to create an equitable framework for funding the educational needs of the over 11,000 students enrolled in the division.
WILLIAMSBURG — A potential new agreement governing the joint Williamsburg-James City County school division is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, as indicated by Chairwoman Sarah Ortego during a school board work session held on Tuesday. This update comes after an August 29 committee meeting focused on the contract discussions that have been ongoing for nearly a year.
The committee negotiating the new agreement comprises key leaders from both the school board and local government, including Chairwoman Ortego, Vice Chair Andrea Donnor, and Superintendent Daniel Keever, along with notable representatives such as Ruth Larson, a James City County Supervisor, and John McGlennon, Vice Chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors. Additional members of the committee include County Administrator Scott Stevens, Williamsburg Councilor Stacy Kern-Scheerer, Vice Mayor of Williamsburg Pat Dent, and City Manager Andrew Trivette.
Both the city of Williamsburg and James City County have been in discussions regarding a new contract essential for the operation of the joint school division. The need for a new agreement arose after the longstanding contract, which dates back to 1955, expired in June of this year when James City County leaders voted to terminate it. This action followed a feasibility study initiated by the Williamsburg City Council, examining the potential for the city to operate as an independent public school system.
Following the termination of the contract, both parties recognized the necessity of working collaboratively on a new partnership agreement. Chairwoman Ortego has noted that substantial progress has been made in the negotiation process, with the committee currently addressing “some final details” before reaching a joint agreement.
With approximately 11,000 students enrolled in the school division—over 10,000 from James City County and about 1,000 from Williamsburg—the new agreement holds significant implications for the region’s educational landscape. Jim Icenhour, chair of the county’s Board of Supervisors, has highlighted that discussions are primarily focused on achieving “an equitable sharing of the cost” necessary for the operation of the division.
The nature of this agreement is critical, as the joint school division relies on funding that comes from both the city and the county. Throughout the year-long negotiation process, stakeholders have emphasized the importance of creating a framework that adequately supports the educational needs of all students within the division.
As both municipalities work diligently to finalize the terms of the new contract, stakeholders remain optimistic about the outcome, particularly as they prioritize the academic needs of local students. The collaborative efforts of the committee aim to ensure that the transition to the new agreement is smooth and effective, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole.
In summary, the anticipated agreement for the Williamsburg-James City County school division represents a critical step in addressing the funding and operational needs of the region’s schools. With enrollment figures indicating a significant number of students affected, the importance of reaching a resolution cannot be understated.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: New WJCC Schools Contract
- Wikipedia: Williamsburg, Virginia
- WYDaily: WJCC Schools Assessment Performance
- Google Search: WJCC Schools
- GovTech: WJCC Schools Cyber Attack Recovery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education System in the United States
- WAVY: WJCC Schools Victim of Cyberattack
- Google News: WJCC Schools Cyberattack
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
