School board approves committee to consider renaming James Blair Middle School after months of public comment

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board voted to establish a committee to consider the potential renaming of James Blair Middle School, following an extended public-comment period in which dozens of residents, students and local advocates urged both for and against a name change.

Nut graf: The board approved a process, committee composition and timeline to gather input and return a recommendation. During discussion members proposed—and the board approved—an amendment to add a second school board member to the committee. An amendment to add two to three at-large community members from outside the school's attendance zone failed.

Public comment dominated the meeting. Speakers who urged a name change included Joe Katterin, identified as with the campaign for honorable and inclusive school names; Jada (Jaden) McFadden, who urged renaming both James Blair Middle and Magruder Elementary; Naomi Tafara, identified as a William & Mary student; and several student speakers and campus groups from William & Mary. Speakers who opposed changing names or urged other priorities included Susan Frans and other residents who cited academic priorities and fiscal costs.

During the motions phase, the board moved to approve “the proposed process, committee composition, role and timeline to consider renaming James Blair Middle School as presented.” The motion was seconded and then amended during discussion. Board member (and school liaison) Mr. Riffle moved to add an additional school board member to the committee; that amendment was seconded by Miss Chen and passed on a board vote. A separate amendment by Mr. Hosang to add two to three non‑James Blair attendance‑zone residents failed.

Votes at a glance: the final vote to establish the committee (as amended to include two board members) passed 6–1 (Yes: Missus Hundley, Mr. Riffle, Miss Chen, Missus Donner, Missus Ortega, and one other board member recorded as voting yes; No: Mr. Hosang). The amendment to add an extra board member passed; the amendment to add 2–3 non‑James Blair residents failed.

Ending: Board members said the committee is intended to gather information primarily from the James Blair attendance zone—students, staff, parents and residents—though the board discussed and debated whether to broaden membership. The committee will bring a recommendation to the school board on a timeline established in the approved process; the vote was a procedural step to begin that work.