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WJCC board adopts amended five‑year CIP; Cooley Field turf and some site repairs remain unfunded
Summary
The board approved an amended five‑year capital improvement plan totaling $86.15 million that prioritizes auditorium and HVAC projects but leaves turfing of Cooley Field and some playground, sidewalk and parking repairs unfunded pending further locality reconciliation.
The Williamsburg-James City County School Board voted May 20 to adopt an amended five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 totaling $86,151,613.
The plan, which the board described as a snapshot reflecting local funding commitments, directs city funds toward priority projects at Matthew Whaley and Berkeley schools while James City County fully funded several projects within its jurisdiction. That reallocation means a number of planned division‑wide repairs and replacements — including turfing Cooley Field, fewer parking lot and playground replacements, and replacing one fewer school bus than initially requested — are not funded in FY26.
In context, the CIP adoption matters because capital projects affect building safety, instructional spaces and athletic facilities. The board and administration said they prioritized projects they can complete with the available local allocations while continuing to press both localities to reconcile differing funding formulas.
Ms. Ewing, presenting the proposed adjustments, summarized the geography of funding: James City County “fully funded projects for schools within the county and their proportionate share of division wide projects, whereas the city funded their proportionate share of all projects.” She recommended using roughly $1.4 million in city funding for the Matthew Whaley auditorium refurbishment and gym HVAC replacement and the partial roof replacement at Berkeley, leaving a small amount for a Berkeley gym refurbishment.
The presentation listed specific projects fully funded by James City County, including a bus canopy at Claraburg Baker, a road entrance at DJ Montague, refurbishment work at Blayton, roof replacements at Laurel Lane, and HVAC and chiller work at Matoaka. Administration said shifting Williamsburg funding to Matthew Whaley and Berkeley will mean fewer division‑wide items proceed in FY26; administration also said it expects some projects to reappear in the FY27 CIP request.
Vice Chair Donner explained the funding discrepancy as a function of two localities using different formulas and ongoing contract negotiations: “It because we are the city and the county are in the midst of a contract renegotiation regarding the joint funding. The 2 bodies use 2 different formulas to fund the CIP.” Board members said they are grateful for local support but acknowledged outstanding capital needs remain.
The board’s motion to adopt the amended CIP passed on a recorded vote. Administration noted that local conversations remain ongoing and that some items, including the Cooley Field turfing identified as a division priority, may be requested again in FY27.
The adopted fiscal‑year‑26 CIP request originally sought $26,487,000 for the first year; James City County’s adopted budget included $20,816,000 and the City of Williamsburg’s budget included $1,414,600, leaving a gap of $4,256,400 in the FY26 first‑year request, the administration reported.
