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Superintendent outlines transition plan progress, emphasizes literacy and new CTE pathways
Summary
Dr. Heater told the Williamsburg‑James City County School Board that phase‑one work on the superintendent transition plan has begun, emphasizing expanded literacy supports, math initiatives, participation in a statewide CTE learning network (VALIN), and steps toward bringing JROTC to a host school; updates are scheduled through July 2027.
Dr. Heater delivered the first detailed update on the superintendent transition plan, reporting that 14 of 32 priority action steps are underway. "Literacy is the most important component of this entire plan," Dr. Heater said, and the division has increased Title I tutors, added contractual days for reading specialists in the proposed FY27 budget, and will provide literacy‑centered professional learning during summer Camp GPS to support classroom instruction.
The presentation outlined several linked efforts to strengthen instruction and pathways. The division has adjusted elementary SOL testing schedules to reduce student cognitive fatigue by splitting tests over two days and used data to target summer learning slots where need is greatest. In numeracy, two math innovation grants fund teacher differentiation strategies; the division has added an elementary math coach and extended contractual days for math specialists.
Dr. Heater described work on a divisionwide "profile of a learner" to define the knowledge and dispositions expected at graduation; the effort will involve about 100 stakeholders and is being supported by the American Association of School Administrators. On high‑school redesign, WJCC staff are participating in a two‑year Virginia Leads Innovation (VALIN) network to study models such as academies and expanded CTE pathways and to draft a potential redesign for future consideration.
Career and technical education highlights included expanded field‑based learning (Health Career Days), a summer "AI in Action" career connection camp for rising eighth graders, and steps to host a JROTC program: "We have submitted applications to multiple programs, and we have had site visits with the Marine Corps, and we have one upcoming with the Air Force," Dr. Heater said. He described this as "initial steps" and said more news is expected.
Behavior supports and human‑capital work were also listed as priorities. The division added early intervention behavior positions, launched a restorative center transition model, and contracted Hanover Research to audit discipline data and practices. The administration integrated phase two of a compensation study into the proposed FY27 budget, citing adjustments to unified pay scales, added contractual days for specialists, and career ladders in operations.
Dr. Heater said updates will continue on a published schedule (next update in July; further updates in November and into 2027), and that some actions may appear across multiple reports. The board and staff will receive additional implementation details, including planned professional learning and dashboard metrics, in subsequent briefings.
