School board enters closed session to discuss joint-school contract with Williamsburg

At a special called meeting (date not specified), the James City County School Board convened and entered a closed session to discuss the award and terms of a public contract for the joint operation of schools between James City County, the School Board and the City of Williamsburg.

The presiding officer of the James City County School Board, speaking at the opening of the special meeting, said the five members present were attending “by invitation” and that “we are here to listen and to have a conversation, but we, we won't be making any decisions or any agreements.” The board repeatedly emphasized that the session was for information and negotiation only and that no final decisions would be made at the meeting.

Board members moved to enter closed session under exemptions in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citing Code of Virginia §2.2-3711(A)(29) for discussions of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds and §2.2-3711(A)(8) for consultation with legal counsel regarding contract negotiations. The motion to enter closed session passed, with members recorded as voting “aye” and the chair declaring the motion carries.

After the closed session, a motion to certify that the board had discussed only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements was made and seconded; members again voted to certify the closed session, and the motion carried. The board then moved to adjourn and set the next regular meeting for 5 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2025.

The meeting record and motions noted only that the closed session addressed the joint-school contract negotiations among the county, the school board and the City of Williamsburg and cited the specific statutory exemptions that authorize closed deliberations on bargaining strategy and legal advice. No changes to policy, contract awards, or formal agreements were made or announced during the public portions of the meeting, and board members said the purpose of the special meeting was to exchange information and continue negotiations outside the public record.

Meeting proceedings included routine roll calls and several short motions and votes to (1) enter closed session, (2) certify compliance with closed-session rules after reconvening in public, and (3) adjourn and schedule the next regular meeting. Specific substantive terms of the contract under negotiation were not discussed in the public record.