WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg-James City County School Board decreased the amount of money it is asking from the City of Williamsburg and James City County for in its fiscal year 2026 budget.
During its March 18 meeting, adjustments were made to both revenue and expenditures in the superintendent’s proposed budget, taking into account an increase in both sales tax and special education regional revenue, bringing the total to $2.959 million. Expenditure adjustments saw a reduction in full-time bus drivers by an additional five, bringing the total to nine, and a reduction in health insurance costs — down to $1.3 million compared to the previous $2.8 million.
The total revised expenditure increase is $14.45 million. The fund request from the localities is now $11.49 million — $9.5 million after incorporating additional state revenue.
“We’re stuck between [those] two realities: what is needed and what is there. And so we have to do our part, and we understand that our funding partners have to do their part, and everyone has to make tough decisions,” said School Board Chair Sarah Ortego, who added that these would be the final numbers that the school board would see before voting next week.
The school board will vote on the budget on March 25 during a Special Call Meeting at 4 p.m., Room 300 in the School Board and Central Office Annex. For more information about the WJCC school board, visit the official website.
