The joint meeting of the Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) Schools, James City County (JCC) Board of Supervisors, and Williamsburg City Council held on March 14, 2025, focused on staffing allocations for English Learner (EL) programs and special education. The discussions highlighted the increasing enrollment of EL students and the corresponding need for additional teaching resources.

The meeting began with a recommendation to increase the number of LEAP (Language, Education, and Academic Progress) teachers from 22 to 32 for the upcoming fiscal year. This adjustment reflects a rise of 10 teacher allocations due to a significant increase in EL student enrollment over the past four years. The new staffing model outlines specific teacher-to-student ratios based on the students' proficiency levels. For instance, Level 1 students require a 1:20 teacher-to-student ratio, necessitating approximately 15.3 teacher allocations for the current 306 Level 1 students. Similarly, Level 2 students, with a current enrollment of 181, require 6 teacher allocations at a 1:30 ratio, while Level 3 and Level 4 students require 6.5 and 1 allocation, respectively.

During the discussion, board members sought clarification on whether these new positions would be supported by state funding, to which it was confirmed that there is indeed state support for these mandated positions. Questions also arose regarding the nature of instruction provided to Level 1 students, specifically whether the 1:20 ratio referred to a full class or a caseload for individual attention. It was clarified that LEAP teachers would work with assigned students throughout the day in various capacities, rather than in a traditional classroom setting.

The conversation also touched on the effectiveness of the current model, with board members expressing concerns about the potential struggles of students who may not have a strong foundation in English. Suggestions were made to consider a more structured English class to provide additional support for these students. However, it was emphasized that the current model allows for flexibility, enabling LEAP teachers to assist students across different subjects based on their individual needs.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of adapting staffing models to meet the growing needs of EL students while ensuring that adequate support is provided across various educational levels. The discussions will likely inform future decisions regarding resource allocation and instructional strategies within the WJCC Schools.