WILLIAMSBURG – The Williamsburg-James City County School Board met Tuesday to review revised school redistricting maps. The board will vote on the final maps in October and is seeking public feedback ahead of that vote.
WJCC Superintendent Daniel Keever said the goal of the meeting was to show the public that the redistricting process is data-driven and responsive to public input. He said the board is weighing six guiding principles: school utilization, demographics, neighborhood schools, transportation, minimizing disruption for families and feeder patterns.
“Every decision requires balancing multiple guiding principles that sometimes compete with one another,” said Keever.
Three areas saw notable changes between the May draft and the August revision.
The Pointe at Jamestown neighborhood and a portion of 4-H Club Road are currently assigned to Clara Byrd Baker Elementary and Berkeley Middle School. The May map proposed reassigning the area to Matoaka Elementary and Louis Hornsby Middle School, but the steering committee — which makes redistricting recommendations to the board — reverted to the current assignment in the August revision, citing building utilization data.
Seasons Trace, a neighborhood off Longhill Road, is currently assigned to D.J. Montague Elementary School. The May draft moved it to J. Blaine Blayton Elementary, but the August revision reverted it back to D.J. Montague.
Longhill Grove, Warhill Green and the Powhatan Apartments are currently assigned to D.J. Montague Elementary School, Louis Hornsby Middle School and Lafayette High School. The steering committee recommended the areas move to J. Blaine Blayton Elementary School and Warhill High School.
The school board encouraged community members to complete an online survey regarding the August revisions.
“We recognize redistricting is among the most challenging conversations a school division can undertake, ” Keever said. “The quality of the feedback received has strengthened our work.”
The school board’s next meeting is Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
