WILLIAMSBURG-JAMES CITY COUNTY — The Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) School Board unanimously approved its proposed fiscal year 2023 operating budget at its Tuesday, May 17 regular meeting.
The near $184 million budget includes $159,905,000 for the operating fund, $16,619,500 for the grants fund, $1,163,700 for the state operated programs fund and $5,832,000 for the child nutrition services fund.
The budget also focuses heavily on a seven percent increase in the division’s employee salary.
The School Board approved its budget in March before it was brought before the James City County (JCC) Board of Supervisors and the Williamsburg City Council for consideration.
Last week, both the JCC Board of Supervisors and Williamsburg City Council voted to adopt their fiscal year 2023 budgets, which included funding the school division’s budget request.
While the division approved its budget, adjustments may need to be made once the Virginia General Assembly approves its own budget.
The division showed support for the staff salary increases and noted that if adjustments need to be made to the budget, the salary increases will not be impacted.
“Once we know the final details, we will look internally at the final budget and make adjustments to our current budget and try to isolate those things that do not impact our seven percent teacher raise,” Superintendent Olwen Herron said. “We will protect that at all costs because we value our employees and we want to make sure that we continue with that next year.”
The Board also approved its final Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2023-27 in the amount of $56,931,000 during Tuesday’s meeting.
The School Board will hold a work session meeting on June 7 at the School Board & Central Office Rm. 300, 117 Ironbound Road, at 6:45 p.m.
