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WJCC budget preview: division outlines $11.1 million of mandatory and essential increases, $8.8 million preliminary shortfall
Summary
School staff presented a preliminary FY26 budget showing $11.1 million in mandated and essential expenditure increases and an estimated $2.4 million increase in state revenue under the governor’s proposed budget, leaving an $8.8 million shortfall to be addressed by local funding partners or internal adjustments.
Williamsburg-James City County Schools staff on Tuesday presented a preliminary operating budget for fiscal 2026 that includes about $11.1 million in mandatory and essential expenditure increases and $2.4 million in anticipated additional state revenue under the governor’s proposed amendments — leaving a preliminary local funding gap of roughly $8.8 million.
"Overall, we are looking at a total increase in state funding of approximately 2,400,000 or 1.3 percent over our current fiscal year 25 budget," said Ms. Ewing, a budget presenter. She cautioned the figures are preliminary and could change with General Assembly action.
Staff listed the major drivers of the requested increases: a 3 percent compensation supplement for SOQ-funded positions (each 1 percent costs the division about $1.3 million; a 3 percent increase therefore costs about $3.9 million), required staffing additions for English learners and special education, health insurance increases, utilities and several contractual and technology license increases. The presentation included a line-by-line summary showing $900,000 for English learner FTE increases, $720,000 for teacher/counselor allocations to maintain class-size and staffing ratios, $205,000 for mandated special-education FTE increases, $864,000 to transition certain grant-funded FTEs into operating funds, and other operating and contractual increases.
The district explained the Local Composite Index (LCI) and its local share calculation. "The city of Williamsburg is 0.7426, and James City County is 0.5403 for the current biennium," Ms. Ewing said, noting those relatively high LCIs mean the division receives less state support compared with many neighboring localities.
Staff also presented demographic and enrollment context. Enrollment is based on the Sept. 30 student count and staff described a recovery toward pre-pandemic counts, with next-year enrollment projections ranging from 11,345 to 11,833. The division noted preschool enrollment (about 395 students) is not included in those counts.
On timing, staff outlined upcoming budget milestones: a budget work session and pre-budget public hearing on Jan. 21; superintendent’s proposed budget on Feb. 18; a public hearing on March 4; a joint session with funding partners on March 14; and anticipated board approval on March 18 to meet an April 1 submission deadline to local governments.
Why it matters: The division’s FY26 request will determine local tax and funding negotiations. A nearly $9 million local request would represent an estimated 8.2 percent increase over the current local funding request and will be the subject of negotiations with the city of Williamsburg and James City County.
