The Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) School Board held a work session on June 3, 2025, focusing on several key initiatives aimed at enhancing literacy and supporting multilingual learners within the district.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the implementation of individualized adaptive instructional experiences designed to enrich language acquisition for K-12 students. The board outlined plans to allocate funds for professional development for teachers, including those involved in the LEAP program, and to support summer enrichment programs for multilingual learners. Initiatives such as family learning workshops and community outreach programs, including the "Welcome to Williamsburg" series and "Summer Nights in the Grove," were also highlighted as vital components of this effort.

The board reviewed Title 4 grant funding, which will be redirected to support the Title 3 program, enhancing resources for English learner instruction and family engagement. This includes partial funding for the position of multilingual learner family and community engagement coordinator, currently held by George Rebus.

In addition, the meeting provided an update on the WJCC division literacy plan, which is aligned with Virginia legislation requiring school divisions to improve literacy outcomes for students in grades K-8. The plan emphasizes evidence-based literacy instruction and includes goals for professional learning and curriculum implementation. By June 2028, the district aims for at least 85% of students to meet proficiency on state literacy assessments. Current data indicates that 79% of K-2 students are on track to meet grade-level literacy expectations.

The board also discussed the importance of family engagement in literacy initiatives, with plans for each elementary and middle school to host at least one annual event to equip parents with strategies to support literacy at home. This approach aims to foster strong partnerships between families and schools.

Overall, the meeting underscored WJCC's commitment to enhancing literacy instruction and supporting multilingual learners, with a focus on community involvement and professional development for educators. The board is set to vote on the literacy plan at the upcoming June 17 meeting.