News Summary
In the Williamsburg-James City County region, two school board seats are up for election this year. Incumbent Sarah Ortego seeks reelection against challenger S.T. Hodges. Additionally, the school board has approved a $207 million budget for the next fiscal year, including a salary increase for employees and a new capital improvement plan. The election outcome and budget decisions will play a significant role in the future of the school division and its educational initiatives.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Two out of five seats on the Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) School Board are up for election this year, including the Jamestown District and Powhatan District seats. Incumbent Sarah Ortego is seeking reelection in the Jamestown District against challenger S.T. “Ty” Hodges, while Kimberley Hundley is running unopposed for the Powhatan District seat.
S.T. “Ty” Hodges, age 34, is a multimedia specialist without prior political experience and is running as an Independent candidate. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in communication from Virginia Tech and is endorsed by the local teachers’ union. His campaign priorities focus on supporting teachers, expanding vocational programs, and maintaining the joint school division.
Sarah Ortego, age 44, has been a member of the school board since 2021 and currently serves as the board chair. She possesses experience from her time working on Capitol Hill and holds a Bachelor’s degree in government from Smith College, along with a Master’s from the Naval War College. Her goals include ensuring high-quality education, raising academic standards, increasing teacher compensation, and enhancing transparency.
Kimberley Hundley, age 63, is a retired educator with 36 years of teaching experience and has also served on the board since 2021. She prioritizes attracting and fully compensating qualified staff and has expressed her commitment to maintaining the joint school division.
Budget Approvals and Challenges
In conjunction with the school board elections, the WJCC Schools adopted a $207 million budget for the next fiscal year. This budget includes funding allocated from both James City County and the state. Within this budget, $190.9 million is assigned to the operating fund, which is $7 million less than the initially proposed amount.
James City County contributes $114 million towards school funding, reflecting an increase of $3.8 million from the previous year. The City of Williamsburg contributes $12.7 million, and revenue from the state is expected to amount to $76.9 million.
This budget includes a 3% salary increase for school employees, introducing a new minimum pay rate of $15.50 per hour. Additionally, it allocates for the addition of ten new positions, such as English language learner teachers and a preschool assistant principal, aimed at enhancing educational support.
Capital Improvement Plan
Alongside the operating budget, WJCC Schools adopted a $26.5 million Capital Improvement Plan, with James City County contributing $20.8 million and Williamsburg providing $1.4 million. The plan includes critical projects such as HVAC replacements, roof replacements, preschool construction, and adding buses to the fleet.
However, some projects included in the capital plan are deferred to future fiscal years due to ongoing joint contract negotiations, indicating potential challenges ahead as the school division seeks to meet its strategic goals.
Conclusion
As the elections draw nearer, the candidates and their respective initiatives are set against the backdrop of significant budget decisions aimed at supporting WJCC Schools. With a focus on maintaining high standards of education and adequate compensation for staff, the outcome of the election will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the school division.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: School Board Election
- Wikipedia: Williamsburg, Virginia
- WYDaily: Revised Budget Presentation
- Google Search: WJCC Schools
- GovTech: Cyber Attack Recovery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Daily Press: WJCC Budget Challenges
- Google News: WJCC Schools Budget
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.
