Friday, September 29, 2023

WJCC School Board Approves Near $184 Million Fiscal Year Budget

James Blair Middle School is set to open at the start of the 2018-2019 school year on Sept. 4. (WYDaily/Sarah Fearing)
The WJCC School Board approved the FY23 operating budget. (WYDaily/Sarah Fearing)

WILLIAMSBURG-JAMES CITY COUNTY — The Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC) School Board unanimously approved the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2023 (FY23).

The Superintendent’s FY23 proposed budget includes a 7 percent increase in the division’s staff salary, which would be an investment of over $7 million. The increase depends on the state budget, which has not yet been finalized.

The Board must provide its funding partners with a budget request by April 1. Once the state budget is finalized, any adjustments would be incorporated.

The School Board recently met with the James City County (JCC) Board of Supervisors and Williamsburg City Council on Friday, March 11 to discuss the budget proposal, at which Board and City Council members showed support for the salary increases.

During the Tuesday, March 15 meeting, Superintendent Olwen Herron noted that other neighboring school divisions are also offering raises for staff. Just this week, the Chesapeake School Board announced a 10 percent increase in teacher pay, while Newport News schools’ budget includes a 5 percent raise.

School Board members showed support for the salary increases.

The WJCC School Board unanimously approved the Superintendent’s proposed budget in the amount of $183,520,200.

The School Board’s approved budget will next go to the JCC Board of Supervisors and the Williamsburg City Council for approval. Following the budget’s approval, the School Board will make the necessary adjustments to the approved budget proposal and adopt a final budget.

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