WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg-James City County School Board reviewed Superintendent Daniel Keever’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget during a work session on Tuesday.
Board members thanked Keever and division staff for accelerating the budget timeline, noting that earlier discussions allow for clearer coordination with James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and state funding partners as the budget moves forward.
During the presentation, members pointed to disparities between positions funded through Virginia’s Standards of Quality and those paid for locally. The division receives state funding for approximately 9.6 assistant principals, while employing 29, requiring local governments to cover the remaining positions. Board members said the gap highlights how state formulas fail to reflect the realities of managing modern school systems.
Instructional aides were also identified as a significant concern. While the state funds just over 36 aide positions, WJCC Schools employs approximately 175. Board members emphasized the role instructional aides play in supporting classroom instruction and meeting student needs.
“These are the things that we’re talking about when we say we need to fully fund what it takes to educate students in Virginia,” said, Chair Andrea Donnor, during the discussion.
The FY27 budget proposal reflects required local contributions of not less than $104.5 million from James City County and $14.45 million from the City of Williamsburg, as outlined in the funding agreement for the joint school system. If the board determines additional funding is needed beyond those estimates, it may formally request increased appropriations from the localities.
The approximately $6 million increase in the proposed FY27 operating budget reflects the division’s ongoing need to sustain essential staffing and services that are not fully covered by state funding formulas. Board members repeatedly emphasized that Virginia’s Standards of Quality significantly underfund key positions such as assistant principals and instructional aides, requiring local governments to absorb those costs. The increase is intended to maintain current staffing levels, support classroom instruction, and ensure schools can meet student needs, while also accounting for rising operational costs tied to salaries, benefits, and the day-to-day realities of running schools. Board members noted that without additional funding, the division would struggle to provide the level of support necessary for students and staff across WJCC Schools.
According to the established budget timeline, the school board is expected to approve its proposed budget in March before presenting it to the James City County Board of Supervisors and Williamsburg City Council. Local governments must approve funding by May 15, after which the board will adopt a final budget.
The board will continue budget discussions during upcoming work sessions, with a public hearing on the proposed budget scheduled for Feb. 17 at Berkeley Middle School.
