Williamsburg, James City County officials want to continue operating joint school system

After more than a year of mulling the idea of creating an independent school district, the City of Williamsburg now says it wants to continue operating a joint school division with James City County.

• The news comes after the James City County Board of Supervisors told Williamsburg officials it needed the city to make a decision by October.

A modified agreement: The Williamsburg City Council said in an Oct. 11 statement that the city “prefers to remain in the joint school system” but wants to modify the existing agreement to better address “deficiencies in the current structure.”

• “A modernized, joint operating contract should allow for the City to address [current] issues while also allowing both localities to maintain the benefits of a joint school division,” the City Council said in a statement. 

In June 2023, Williamsburg announced it was investigating the possibility of launching an independent school system separate from James City County. The current school district has operated jointly since 1955.

• A feasibility study presented to the city in March found that performance gaps existed between students from the county and the city, with city students falling behind in all testing categories.
• A county report released over the summer concluded that a split would be costly and complex, taking at least four years to complete.

James City County’s response: Soon after City of Williamsburg officials announced a preference to continue operating a joint school district, the James City County Board of Supervisors released a statement affirming their support for keeping the current agreement in place – but with some changes.

• “The Board agrees that a modernized joint operating agreement is needed. While details remain to be discussed, we look forward to working together for a solution,” the supervisors said. “We believe that both localities can find a way forward that will support the needs of all students and their families.”