Williamsburg-James City County board sets superintendent search timeline, votes to enter closed session

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Jan. 9 approved its meeting agenda, agreed on a timeline and public outreach plan for a national search for superintendent candidates, and voted to convene a closed session to discuss the superintendent’s contract.

The search firm leading the process outlined five stages: stakeholder meetings and a 31-quality online survey; national recruitment and advertising; an application period from Jan. 31 to March 2; screening and first-round virtual interviews the week of March 24; and finalist visits in early April. The board set specific dates for key steps: stakeholder sessions on Jan. 22–23, a survey-results briefing Jan. 30, a board screening meeting March 19, first-round virtual interviews March 29 and finalist interviews in person on April 3 (with the first finalist interview scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.).

Search firm representatives said the firm will post the application and promotional materials on its site and distribute a national ad package; some national listings are included in the firm’s fee while other venues would be billed back to the district as reimbursements. Board members asked for a draft promotional packet by Jan. 28 and confirmed Spanish translation for the survey; additional foreign-language translations were left open pending need.

The board discussed confidentiality for candidate identities and agreed that finalist-stage interviews should remain confidential to encourage applications from sitting superintendents. The board also directed that second-round finalist travel costs will be reimbursed but declined to cover expenses for a candidate’s partner or significant other.

The board discussed licensing and residency requirements. Members stated candidates are responsible for obtaining any required Virginia superintendent licensure after hire; the board will note licensure status in its screening. Board members also directed that the promotional materials make explicit a local residency requirement: the superintendent must live within the school division boundaries.

During the open session the board approved the agenda on a voice/roll call motion. Later in the meeting the board voted to convene a closed session, citing discussion of the superintendent’s contract pursuant to a personal-exceptions provision of Virginia law; the motion was made and seconded, and the board voted in favor. After the closed session the board certified the closed session, with a motion reciting that only matters identified in the convening motion were discussed.

Quotes and attribution in this article come from meeting participants identified in the board record and the search firm, including the motions made on the record. The board will reconvene for finalist interviews scheduled the week of April 3.