Military family ties earn York schools $15.5M federal grant
Plus, AI in the courts and classrooms; City launches zoning seminar; Williamsburg Players auditions; Patches the "Celebricat"
The York County School Division secured a $15.5 million competitive federal grant to help fund facility improvements at Bethel Manor Elementary and Tabb High School. The funding comes from a program run by the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), which supports schools serving military-connected students. According to the information released by the school divsion last week, the initiative is meant to help localities offset the costs of school construction, modernization and maintenance.
The news of the funding comes as York residents weigh a referendum on the November 3rd ballot asking voters to approve a 1% sales tax for school construction and maintenance. The County estimates that a successful referendum, authorized by recent Virginia legislation, could raise $12 million yearly for school capital projects. Overall, the division’s FY2027 budget totals roughly $206 million, funded through a mix of federal ($18 million), state ($120 million), and local (roughly $68 million) sources.
Significant needs at the two selected schools drove their inclusion in the “Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization, and Facilities Maintenance Program”. For example, necessary upgrades at Bethel Manor Elementary include classroom additions, a full-sized gymnasium and other infrastructure upgrades expected to cost a bit under $10 million, with over $8 million covered by the federal support. York schools explained that the existing cafetorium’s expansion and renovation is covered separately through FY27 federal funds. The list of projects lined up for Tabb High represent the largest investment in the school since it opened in 1972. Those include upgraded classrooms and replacing aging systems, and are expected to cost around $43 million with around $10 million in federal funding secured.
Statistics published by the DoWEA indicate that 80% of military-connected students attend public schools. Virginia hosts several major military installations and serves more than 77,000 military-connected, school-age students in public schools, not including veterans’ children attending public or private schools, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
The County’s push for the sales tax referendum stems from broader facility needs across the division beyond the two schools recommended for the grant. At a recent meeting, the York County Board of Supervisors received a presentation from Superintendent James Carroll, Ed.D., who reviewed the school division’s facility needs and a $117 million capital improvements program covering fiscal years 2027-2032.
During the presentations, system administrators pointed out that buildings across the division are aging significantly, with and average of 55 years old. The county’s desire to expand schools rather than building new facilities complicates resource allocation and planning, they noted. Capacity is uneven as several elementary schools experience crowding while others run well below capacity. New housing is adding to the pressure in some part of the county such as Queens Lake, Bruton, Yorktown, signaling sustained capacity strain as new families move into the communities that are already planned for the area.
In other news:
Local AI
NCSC Continues AI Leadership Role With Webinar on Testing Court Tools The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, is continuing its role as a leading voice on artificial intelligence in the court system with a webinar this week on how courts and legal aid groups should test AI tools before releasing them to the public. Per the event description, the session is part of an ongoing consortium NCSC leads with the Thomson Reuters Institute to examine AI governance, ethics, access to justice, and workforce readiness for courts nationwide.
William & Mary Launches New Applied AI Undergraduate Major William & Mary is launching a new undergraduate major in Applied AI through its School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, as reported by W&M News writer Randy Ready. The program is described as the first Applied AI major at a Virginia public university, focusing on practical use of existing AI tools rather than building AI systems.
Government
Williamsburg to Launch Four Part Zoning Matters Forum Series The City of Williamsburg is launching a four part forum series called Zoning Matters, running the first Wednesday of each month from September through December, as stated in the city’s newsflash. Zoning Administrator Heather Markle will host each session from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Stryker Center, covering topics like housing, tree regulations, and signage, followed by audience questions so residents better understand how the rules affect their property.
Community & Services
WJCC Schools Hosts 5th Annual SPARK Back to School Event Williamsburg-James City County Schools held its 5th annual SPARK event, short for Supporting Parents and Reaching Kids, to kick off the new school year, as noted by the WJCC Schools newsroom. The back to school gathering brought school staff, community partners, and volunteers together to serve more than 250 WJCC families with resources, school supplies, and early screening through the Bright Beginnings program. Community partners provided donated meals, haircuts, clothing, groceries, and a free vaccination clinic during the event.
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Finance Director to Speak on Museum Stewardship Will Nixon, senior director of finance for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, will lead a Virginia Association of Museums webinar on September 23 framing fiscal stewardship as a responsibility shared across every museum role, not just finance departments, according to the event listing. Nixon, who holds an MBA from William & Mary, will speak to museum professionals on how to evaluate decisions through mission, public trust, and sustainability, and to distinguish responsible stewardship from simple cost cutting.
Recreation & Events
New Town Tunes to Return This Fall With Free Concerts James City County Parks & Recreation, along with CultureFix and the New Town Commercial Association, is bringing back New Town Tunes this fall. The free outdoor concert series runs Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in Sullivan Square starting September 9 through October 14, featuring bands like The Deloreans and U2topia. Food and drinks will be sold onsite.
Williamsburg Players to Hold Auditions for Comedy Play The Williamsburg Players will hold auditions for The Play That Goes Wrong on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 at 7 p.m., as detailed on the theater’s website. Director Lisa Velardi’s production, running October 30 to November 15, 2026, follows an amateur troupe whose murder mystery spirals into physical comedy chaos. Auditions involve cold readings and improvisation, and the theater notes the show is physically demanding, requiring cast members to climb, jump, and perform confined and fight scenes.
“Celebricat” Patches to Appear at 2026 Virginia Cat Festival AVAdventure Productions and the City of Williamsburg announced that Patches, the cat who lost over 24 pounds after his 2023 adoption, will meet fans at the November 7-8 festival, sponsored by the City.
Registration Now Open for 29th Annual Healthy Aging Conference York County Parks & Recreation invites the community to attend the 29th Annual Healthy Aging Conference on Tuesday, September 15, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. The free event will feature a moderated panel with state, local, and federal perspectives, an update from AARP Virginia State President Joyce Williams, and presentations on positive mindset, personal connections, and resilience. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, browse vendor displays, and have a chance to win door prizes. Registration is open through September 8 and can be completed online, by email, or by phone at 757-890-3500.
Take 33% off the first year of an annual subscription.
Buy me a coffee | Leave a tip on PayPal | Tees on Etsy