Community speakers press board on student protests, school name and tree protection

A broad cross-section of community members and student leaders addressed the Williamsburg-James City County School Board during public comment, urging clearer policies and greater attention to equity and preservation.

Susan Franz, a community member, urged the board to adopt a "clear written viewpoint neutral policy for student political activity on school grounds," arguing that an ad hoc administrative decision allowing a short student walkout to protest ICE could obligate the district to accommodate other demonstrations if criteria are not established. "By accommodating this protest, this district may now be obligated to accommodate any student demonstration on any topic on the same terms," Franz said, and asked the board to either treat all demonstrations equally or disallow them during school hours.

Other speakers offered varied concerns. Alan Engleman asked the board to intervene at the Bright Beginnings pre-K construction at Norge Elementary, saying recent site work has buried tree trunks and endangered protective root zones and urging that a new perimeter fence be placed to avoid further tree damage. "There's a berm of dirt and debris ... that's burying the trunk of some of the existing trees," he said, asking staff to push the berm back.

Karen Bergesuckle urged renaming James Blair Middle School, reading a list of names of people enslaved by the school’s namesake and saying: "No child should have to attend a school honoring the man who enslaved their ancestors." Jay Everson criticized recent student walkouts, saying they allowed students to disrupt school "without consequence" and arguing demonstrations outside school hours would be more appropriate.

Students and student-advisory representatives also spoke. Darianne Poe and Will Zieger, members of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council, said the council provides input on calendars, rezoning, school operations and student leadership and asked that student voices be meaningfully considered in district decisions. Dr. Tiffany Hooks, speaking as a clinician and local chapter leader of Delta Sigma Theta, emphasized that redistricting and other decisions should consider impacts on low- and middle-income families and protect student voices while ensuring supports for mental health and equity.

Board members did not adopt a policy during the meeting; the comments were heard and will be considered as part of ongoing policy conversations. Public speakers were limited to two minutes each under board rules.

What happens next: Several speakers requested formal policy changes (a written protest/viewpoint policy and consideration of school-name change); the board has not scheduled nor taken formal action on those requests at this meeting.