WJCC lays out $107.5 million five‑year capital plan, highlights accessibility and CTE options
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Summary
Williamsburg‑James City schools presented a FY27–36 Capital Improvement Plan totaling $107.5 million, highlighting HVAC and refurbishment priorities, $250,000 added for universal playground access, a major roof cost increase at Stone House Elementary and proposals to expand career and technical education.
The Williamsburg‑James City school division on Monday presented a proposed five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (FY27–36) that calls for $107.5 million in projects and a mix of maintenance, refurbishment and programmatic expansions.
Renee, who led the CIP presentation for the superintendent, said the plan allocates the largest share — about 38.6% — to HVAC replacements and upgrades and includes roof work, refurbishments and new facilities. "HVAC projects account for 38.6% of the total 5‑year CIP," she said during the presentation.
The plan also increases the playground repair and replacement line by $250,000 "to allow for universal access to our playgrounds," Renee said, and removes field lighting at Stone House and Tijuana to support turfing of Cooley Field, a change the presentation described as a $1,000,000 reduction in that line. Renee noted the most notable cost escalation is an $872,000 increase for a Stone House Elementary metal roof after a recent review by Moseley Architects.
Board members and local officials questioned funding paths and timing. A member asked whether the division had a central grant writer for playground and accessibility grants; Renee said the division currently lacks a centralized grant‑writing position and manages grants within departments. Another member raised concern about sharply rising generator replacement costs; staff said revised vendor estimates explain part of the increase but that they could not point to a single cause.
The CIP ties project timing to enrollment projections presented earlier: the division reported a 09/30/2024 enrollment of 11,379 and said overall elementary capacity will remain under 90% through the 10‑year horizon, with Matthew Whaley and Stonehouse anticipated to exceed 100% capacity in fiscal 2028 without redistricting. "Without redistricting, Matthew Whaley and Stonehouse are anticipated to be over 100% capacity in fiscal 28," the presentation said.
On career and technical education (CTE), officials and members of the public debated alternatives. Some urged converting War Hill into a career and technical education center; others recommended studying a single, central vocational campus rather than duplicating programs at three high schools. A business community commenter who attended the meeting urged a standalone vocational campus, arguing it would be more attractive to students and would reduce travel‑time barriers.
The superintendent and staff said they would continue to explore options and partnerships (including regional providers such as New Horizons and vocational‑technical centers) and emphasized flexibility in facility design so program spaces can adjust over time.
Next steps: the division will carry the CIP forward in locality budget discussions for FY27 and update cost estimates as projects move toward design. Board members asked staff to provide further cost details and potential funding strategies as the plan advances.
