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Teachers and early‑childhood providers urge county support after compensation study; Child Development Resources reports renovation progress
Summary
Multiple speakers at public comment urged the Board to increase school funding after a compensation study showed wage gaps; Child Development Resources updated the board on renovations to a Family Resource Center and requested county funding.
Educators, a teacher union representative and an early‑childhood nonprofit told the James City County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday that the county should fund the school division’s compensation needs and support early‑childhood services.
Andy Cason, a Jamestown High School teacher and treasurer of the Williamsburg‑James City County Education Association, said a school compensation study presented to the school board found teachers on average 4.6% below the 50th percentile for the region and larger gaps for education support staff. Cason said a 20‑year teacher at James City County Public Schools could make about 8% less than peers in nearby divisions and that support staff were on average 11% below regional pay; the bottom third of support staff could be 20% or more below regional averages. He urged the supervisors to fund the school budget to address recruitment and retention.
Marco Sardi, president of the WJCEA and orchestra teacher at James Blair Middle School, urged the county to back the school board’s three‑year plan to move pay toward the 50th percentile and said the plan spreads increases to make it manageable for taxpayers while addressing a competitive gap that he said affects hiring and retention.
Separately, Paul Scott of Child Development Resources (CDR) reported on renovations to the organization’s future Family Resource Center at 312 Waller Mill Road, saying interior framing is underway and HVAC and plumbing are being roughed in with an anticipated move‑in date of February 2026. Sarah Tuohy, a parent who used CDR services, described infant and lactation support she received and urged continued county support for the agency’s early‑childhood and mental‑health programming.
Why it matters: Speakers framed compensation as essential to maintaining school quality and attracting staff. Early‑childhood services were presented as community supports that reduce downstream costs and improve family stability.
What’s next: The county will consider the school division’s formal budget request as part of the fiscal‑year process; CDR’s renovation will proceed and the organization has requested county funding through the social‑services/grants process.
