WJCC proposes earlier FY27 budget calendar, joint revenue meeting with city and county on Oct. 10

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board was briefed on a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget calendar intended to move the division’s budget timeline earlier and coordinate closely with the city and county funding partners.

Superintendent Dr. Keever told the board the proposed calendar begins with a joint meeting on Oct. 10 to receive revenue estimates from the two funding partners and to allow the division to present academic achievement data. The division would then hold a budget kickoff with schools and departments, add an operating-budget overview to the December meeting, and schedule expanded budget work sessions in January 2026, including a two‑hour January 13 slot.

Under the plan, the superintendent’s proposed budget would be released at the division’s first February meeting, followed by a joint presentation to funding partners the week of Feb. 6, a public hearing on Feb. 17, and a target approval date of March 3, 2026. “It's about a month earlier than what we were able to do this year, and we feel like that puts us in a much better position organizationally and operationally,” Dr. Keever said.

Administration indicated the proposed calendar is intended to improve planning by starting earlier and getting revenue estimates from partner governments sooner. Board members were invited to review the calendar in board documents and expect final adoption when the full meeting calendar is presented in September; the superintendent said the calendar could still be adjusted when the board formally adopts it in January.

Decision status: the board reviewed the proposed calendar and will be asked to approve it at a future meeting; no vote on the calendar occurred at this session.