NEWS: $89M Needed for School Capital Improvement over 5 Years, $200M over Decade, per WJCC Superintendent

$10M funding gap for approved projects remains; Build cost for PreK centers rises

Dec 30, 2024

Matthew Whaley Elementary School in Williamsburg - built in 1931 - is slated to receive new windows next year as part of the WJCC Public School’s capital improvement plan. (Photo Credit: George Arbogust)

At a meeting held December 6th at the James City County Recreation Center, members of the Williamsburg City Council and the Williamsburg-James City County School Board reviewed the Superintendent’s Proposed FY26-FY35 Capital Improvement Plan.

In the long-term plan, which is typically reviewed and revised on an annual basis, Acting-Superintendent Dr. Daniel Keever (the interim replacement for retiring Superintendent Dr. Olwen Herron) requested more than $89M to fund capital improvements over the next five years. See the chart “Superintendent's Recommended 5-Year Capital Improvement Budget” below for details. The proposed 10 year capital expenditure plan totals over $200M, though additions and removals from the list are likely as local needs, priorities and funding sources change over the next few years.

*FY26 include $12.6 million for PreK Construction/FFE; FY24 Reversion funds totaled $8.8 million (Data Source: WJCC Public Schools; Graphic Credit: Williamsburg Independent)

According to a set of summary slides presented along with the capital improvement plan, the projects represent a mix of needs across the school district. They include relatively straightforward renovations like new carpet and paint, to more complex replacements of roofing and HVAC systems. See the chart “WJCC Public Schools Capital Project Type by Percentage (FY26-34)” for more information about the projects types. (At the end of the article, there is also a listing of improvements by school.)

The Capital Improvement Plan addresses a wide variety of needs across the school district. HVAC replacement and windows represent the largest expense, followed by roofs and new facilities. (Data Source: WJCC Public Schools; Graphic Credit: Williamsburg Independent)

The School Board has no taxing or revenue generating authority and relies on funds from local jurisdictions and other sources to operate. Its annual budget, which totaled $190M for the fiscal year ended in June 2024, according to the school system’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended June 2024, contains contributions from both the City of Williamsburg and James City County. (Worth noting is the announcement in October by the Williamsburg City Council reaffirming their commitment to staying in the partnership.) State and Federal funds also make up a large part of the total budget. See the graphic “WJCC Public School Funding Sources (FY23-24)” below for more details.

* The specific totals for Williamsburg and James City County are estimated from current budget documents. The WJCC Public School System aggregates their funding in budget reporting. (Data Source: WJCC Public Schools, City of Williamsburg; Graphic Credit: Williamsburg Independent)

FY25 capital funding gap remains, for now

In the capital report, the Superintendent highlights a current $10M gap for fiscal year 2025 between the School Board’s adopted capital budget and approved funds from Williamsburg and James City County. Final local funding details are expected to be worked out during the coming months as appropriations for these 5-year plans come on an annual basis. Both Williamsburg and James City County will adopt a new budget in May of the coming year.

PreK centers face rising costs to complete

Several years ago, school system administrators originally estimated the cost to build and design two PreK Centers at $39.7M. The latest estimate released by the Superintendent puts that cost at $47.8M, an increase of 20%. Additional funds totaling $3.8M are still needed to cover the project, according to the system’s central administration.

Other approved projects require additional funds

The capital improvement plan presents revised estimates for 7 previously approved projects, whose cost has increased by almost a million dollars. For example, window replacement estimates for Whaley Elementary School in Williamsburg proved to be particularly low, as costs are now expected to be 155% higher at $660K. Auditorium refurbishment costs at the school also increased, up over 40%, to $375K. See table “Previously approved projects with revised cost estimates (FY25 to FY26)” below for details.

The costs associated with several previously approved projects have increased by nearly a million dollars. (Data Source: WJCC Public Schools; Table Credit: Williamsburg Independent)

Delays push proposed project estimates higher

The plan shifted 5 projects from FY25 to FY26 with revised cost estimates, increasing the total for the projects by 7% overall, or about $300K. One such project is the new turf for Cooley Field, which increased by $100K and is now expected to cost $1.4M. See table “Proposed projects moved from FY25 to FY26” below for more information.

Project delays have added to the anticipated cost of some projects. (Data Source: WJCC Public Schools; Table Credit: Williamsburg Independent)

Improvement plan by school

Below is a review of items listed in the capital improvement plan for each school and the time frame indicated for the project to begin.

Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School (Year Built: 1989)

Bus canopy - FY26
Replace HVAC, roof - FY28
Paint & carpet - FY30

D.J. Montague Elementary School (Year Built: 1989)

Widen road entrance - FY26
Paint & carpet - FY27
Replace roof, replace rubber floor tiles, pave playground space - FY31
Replace generator - FY35

J. Blaine Blayton Elementary School (Year Built: 2010)

Paint & carpet - FY26
Replace generator, replace HVAC - FY30
Replace roof - FY31
Gym refurbishment - FY35

James River Elementary School (Year Built: 1993)

Gym refurbishment - FY30
Paint & carpet - FY33
Replace generator - FY34

Laurel Lane Elementary School (Year Built: 1966)

Replace roof sections - FY26
Paved playground surface - FY31

Matoaka Elementary School (Year Built: 2007)

Replace HVAC - FY26
Replace generator - FY27
Replace vinyl floors - FY29
Gym refurbishment - FY32

Matthew Whaley Elementary School (Year Built: 1931)

Auditorium refurbishment, replace gym HVAC, replace windows - FY26
Paved playground surface - FY31
Paint & carpet - FY33

Norge Elementary School (Year Built: 1967)

Bus Canopy - FY28
Paint & carpet - FY33

Stonehouse Elementary School (Year Built: 2000)

Paved playground space - FY26
Replace HVAC, replace roof, sports field lights - FY27
Replace vinyl floor tiles - FY29
Paint & carpet - FY33

Berkeley Middle School (Year Built: 1966)

Gym refurbishment, partial roof replacement - FY26
Activity track - FY27
Replace vinyl floor tiles - FY30

James Blair Middle School (Year Built: 2018)

Activity track - FY27
Paint and carpet - FY29

Lois S. Hornsby Middle School (Year Built: 2010)

Paint & carpet, activity track - FY27
Bus canopy - FY28
Replace vinyl floor tile, replace generator, replace HVAC, repair observation deck - FY30
Partial roof replacement - FY31
Gym & Auditorium refurbishment - FY35

Toano Middle School (Year Built: 1992)

Replace generator, replace roof skylights - FY26
Field lighting, activity track - FY27
Gym refurbishment, paint & carpet - FY28
Replace HVAC, replace roof, replace rubber floor tiles, auditorium refurbishment - FY34

Jamestown High School (Year Built: 1997)

Partial roof replacement - FY27
Paint & carpet - FY30
Gym refurbishment & HVAC, auditorium refurbishment - FY32
Replace floor tile - FY34

Lafayette High School (Year Built: 1997)

Paint & carpet - FY28
Gym refurbishment, replace generator - FY29
Replace HVAC - FY33
Replace floor tile - FY34

Warhill High School (Year Built: 2007)

Replace generator, heat pumps - FY27
Replace tennis courts, replace HVAC - FY28
Gym & auditorium refurbishment - FY32

(Updated: caption grammatical error corrected 12/31/24)

George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Send stories and ideas to contact@williamsburgindependent.com.