News Summary
The upcoming election for the Williamsburg-James City County School Board features a contested race for the Jamestown District seat, where incumbent Sarah Ortego faces challenger S.T. ‘Ty’ Hodges. In the Powhatan District, Kimberley Hundley runs unopposed. The candidates’ priorities range from supporting teachers to addressing pandemic-related learning loss and vocational programs, making this election crucial for local educational policies.
Williamsburg – Two of James City County’s five seats on the seven-member Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) School Board are contested in the upcoming election. Incumbent chair Sarah Ortego is facing challenger S.T. “Ty” Hodges for the Jamestown District seat, while Kimberley Hundley runs unopposed for the Powhatan District seat.
S.T. “Ty” Hodges, 34, is a multimedia specialist affiliated with the Independent Party and has no prior political experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Virginia Tech. His campaign is motivated by a desire to create a better community for children, notably influenced by his daughter’s educational journey. If elected, Hodges aims to prioritize teacher support and resources, having received the endorsement of the local teachers’ union. He also advocates for the expansion of vocational programs and additional advanced courses for students aiming for college. Furthermore, Hodges emphasizes the importance of maintaining a joint school division to provide comprehensive opportunities for students.
Sarah Ortego, 44, has served on the WJCC School Board since 2021. Before her election, she worked in Capitol Hill and as a strategic communications consultant. With a bachelor’s degree in government from Smith College and a master’s in national security from the Naval War College, Ortego plans to build on the progress made during her tenure while addressing pandemic-related learning loss. Her key initiatives include raising academic achievement standards, increasing teacher compensation, and enhancing vocational programs. Ortego is optimistic about negotiating an agreement to maintain the joint school division, drawing on her experience as board chair.
In the Powhatan District, Kimberley Hundley, 63, a retired educator with 36 years of teaching experience, is running unopposed. Having been a school board member since 2021, Hundley initially accepted the role due to her belief in the importance of teacher representation. Her primary focus is on attracting and retaining qualified staff through competitive compensation and strengthening the joint school division, expressing hope for a potential contract agreement.
The WJCC School Board has recently appointed Dr. Daniel F. Keever as the new superintendent, following a thorough national search. Keever has been with WJCC Schools since 2020 and has served as the acting superintendent since February 1, 2025. With 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Keever has held various positions, from teacher to senior executive director. He is slated to officially assume his role on June 1, 2025, with a vision to build on the existing successes of WJCC Schools and adapt to the evolving needs of students.
As the election approaches, the importance of qualified candidates and their visions for local education remains crucial for the future of students in Williamsburg-James City County. The outcomes of this election could significantly influence educational policies, teacher compensation, and program offerings in the district.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: WJCC School Board Election
- Wikipedia: Education in Virginia
- WAVY: Candidate Profile Sarah Ortego
- Google Search: WJCC School Board election
- WYDaily: WJCC School Board Budget
- Google News: WJCC Schools
- 13 News Now: New Superintendent Named
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- GovTech: WJCC Schools Cyber Attack
- Google Scholar: Williamsburg James City County
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.
