Subscriber’s Digest (12-24-24)
School enrollment increases and academic achievement gaps; sports tourism and other economic development wishes; a year-in-review rant
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I’ll be taking a break for a few days but coming back strong with news and commentary soon.
Thank you to all of you who have subscribed to this new media experiment. Your interest is already proof that there’s even more pent-up demand for independent local news coverage and commentary. A special nod to those who have already become paid subscribers - I appreciate your confidence and hope to create content that you find interesting and informative in 2025. For those with Free subscriptions, please consider becoming a paid supporter at just five bucks a month with no obligation — cancel anytime so I’ll keep working hard ;-)
The goal of the Williamsburg Independent is to give you a perspective — my own and others’ — that you won’t find anywhere else. In the coming weeks, the publication will begin to feature news and commentary by other contributors who are concerned and engaged just like you. If you have something to say, let me know at contact@williamsburgindependent.com. Or forward this email to someone you know to hand them the mic.
In the meantime, take a look at snippets from the past week that you may have missed.
News
• Academic Achievement Gaps Identified by WJCC Public Schools Amidst Overall Success
NEWS: Achievement gaps in English and Mathematics remain problematic at some schools
During a recent joint meeting with the Williamsburg City Council and Williamsburg-James City County School Board held earlier this month, WJCC Public Schools leadership presented an analysis of system results for the 2023-2024 school year. Metrics included school accreditation, student academic achievement and on-time graduation rates.
According to the presentation posted on the James City County website, each of the system’s 16 schools are fully accredited by the Virginia Board of Education. Additionally, based on what the system calls the “School Quality Profile Report Card,” the overall WJCC Public Schools system scored at or above state averages for academic achievement, achievement gaps and student outcomes. Read …
• Building Projects Dominate Williamsburg City Council Plans
NEWS: City Leadership Touts Mega-Region, Business Ready Sites, Infill Development of Downtown Core in Latest GIO
Earlier this month, the Williamsburg City Council released a slide presentation about upcoming Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes (GIO) for the 2025 and 2026 years, calling it “an expression of priorities, as specific and measurable as possible.” These priorities take the form of what the City deemed “two-year strategic initiatives” which they claim will be the focus and direction of future City Council actions.
According to the City’s leadership, the GIO was driven by input from the community. Their outreach efforts included a mailed survey, called the National Community Survey, which was sent to a sample of City residents. It’s unclear why the city didn’t mail the survey to all residents, as they frequently do for other things like the City Manager’s annual update or tax notices. The City says that another online survey called the GIO Public Input Survey was also made available to residents. Read …
• Double Digit % Growth Expected for WJCC Public Schools Enrollment
NEWS: All sixteen schools will gain students over next decade, says School Board consultant
In a joint meeting held earlier this month between the Williamsburg-James City County School Board and the Williamsburg City Council, a long-time consultant for the school system presented their projections for student enrollment growth over the next decade.
According to the consultant, Tracy Healy, President of education facility planner Future Think, following a decade of mostly stagnant student enrollment, WJCC Public Schools can expect over 17% total growth in enrollment over the next ten years. Healy explains in the presentation that these projections rely on a complicated mix of factors including economic conditions, housing starts and live births. Still, the firm sees reason to anticipate more growth in the school system as the region’s overall population expands. Read …
• Press Release Roundup (12-19-24)
Local news updates from around the Historic Triangle
Interim Commissioner of the Revenue approval; African American Trail narrative; Williamsburg Health Foundation awards; distillery’s commemorative bottle; Catherine the Great artifact acquired; journalist’s papers to W&M; National Center of Academic Excellence; Read …
Commentary
• Commentary - 2024 in Review: Williamsburg City Council Gambles on Sports Complex, Extends Land Development Power to HTRFA
Each year, Williamsburg City Council passes dozens of ordinances and resolutions. Some pass with little fanfare while others stir up controversy. Some make little impact while others have the potential to change the face of the City for years to come.
This year was no different, as the City Council voted to guarantee up to $70M in public funding to build an expensive sports entertainment venue. Later, they extended the rights of the multi-jurisdictional organization tapped to build and manage the sports complex – Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority (HTRFA) – to develop even more land in the City. Read…
• Commentary: 5 Biggest Issues of 2024 in Williamsburg
Incumbents Win, School BFFs Again, Development Stalled, Housing Crunched and Someone Surveyed Somewhere
My completely biased and self-indulgent review of the top 5 issues in our historic city this year. Not much else to say. Read …
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Send stories and ideas to contact@williamsburgindependent.com.