Proposed WJCC redistricting plan draws criticism from parents, community groups as controversy intensifies

JAMES CITY COUNTY – A proposed Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) school redistricting plan is drawing ire from some parents, community members and advocates.

The effort is underway because two new pre-kindergarten centers are scheduled to open at Norge and Clara Byrd Baker Elementary schools at the start of the 2027-28 school year. The Bright Beginnings centers will each be able to accommodate over 250 students.

Currently, five elementary schools in the division house Bright Beginnings classrooms. Once the new locations open, space will become available at some elementary schools, while others will continue to face overcrowding.

The division hopes to balance capacity through the redistricting process, which could impact students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Nonetheless, the initial proposed maps have been met with widespread pushback.

According to The Village Initiative, a grassroots organization that promotes educational equity at WJCC Schools, some kids will face negative impacts if the current redistricting plan takes place.

Students of color, lower-income students and children with higher needs would all be disproportionately impacted, the group says.

The majority of economically disadvantaged K-5 students in the community would be sent to one of four elementary schools: Clara Byrd Baker, DJ Montague, James River and Matthew Whaley, WJCC redistricting data shows.

The situation is alarming, Village Initiative leaders say, because achievement gaps will likely widen as resources at these schools are stretched thin.

On the middle school level, the largest percentage of economically disadvantaged students and students of color would be concentrated at Berkeley and James Blair. Meanwhile, Jamestown High School would become even less diverse.

Nearly one-third of all WJCC students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to data released by the division.

That figure accounts for students who qualify for federal assistance, such as Medicaid or SNAP, are considered homeless or are in foster care.

Of the 11,146 students attending WJCC schools in November 2025, 1,027 were classified as English Language Learners, while 1,884 were in need of special education services.

The lion’s share of elementary school English Language Learners – nearly 61% – would attend James River and Matthew Whaley elementary schools under the plan.

The Village Initiative argues the WJCC School Division “does not have a strong track record” of increasing funding for schools with higher needs.

As a result, the group says, the most heavily impacted schools would struggle to support students and retain high-quality teachers, while inequities would be “exacerbated by PTA funding” at schools with greater resources.

In addition to The Village Initiative’s advocacy efforts, several other groups are speaking out against the current maps. Some Kingspoint families, as well as members of the Ford’s Colony HOA, are urging community members across the district to speak out.

“The proposed district maps will widen economic disparities between schools, creating inequity; diminish diversity in schools; cluster students with higher needs in certain schools [and] create uneven teacher workloads,” a website created by Kingspoint parents states.

New allegations

Amid the ongoing controversy, WJCC Superintendent Daniel Keever is facing heat for allegedly making racist comments at a high school student assembly on Monday.

According to WAVY News, several students reported hearing Keever ask, “Wouldn’t you rather go to school with kids who look like you?” during redistricting discussions at the assembly. 

Numerous WJCC parents raised concerns about the issue on social media, saying their child also heard the remarks and perceived them as racist. 

In a video statement posted to YouTube on June 3, Keever called the redistricting initiative “a very emotional process” but denied allegations of racial insensitivity.

“I would not bring forward or recommend any redistricting maps that disregarded diversity. I value diversity, we value diversity and this community values diversity,” Keever said. “Suggestions that I stated otherwise are contrary to who I am and what I believe.”

What’s next: The WJCC Redistricting Survey closes on June 7. The Village Initiative will host a community conversation with Keever on June 8 at 6 p.m. at the Williamsburg Library Theatre, located at 515 Scotland Street