Guest Opinions
We welcome guest opinion essays from all sides about local topics that offer meaningful discussions about our community. We request a respectful tone towards others, factual references and a length around 500 words.
Email your contribution to digby@williamsburgwatch.com
Time for a new Independence Day?
By Steven Woolley
July 4 is nearly here -- time to reflect on some of the conditions that led to our Declaration of Independence.
King George III plays the villain’s role in the Declaration, and rightly so—he served as a symbol of a more complex set of failures. Parliament, the bureaucracy, the mercantile elite, and the Church were among the institutions that failed to recognize the legitimate needs of their fellow citizens in the 13 colonies. Ordinary people were increasingly aware that they were being treated with disregard bordering on contempt.
We were fortunate that colonial leaders were determined the new nation would be a democratic republic in which the voice of the people would always be heard and no king would rule. The Constitution was the second try—and it turned out to be a political masterpiece, laying the foundation upon which we’ve continued to build toward the fulfillment of the promise that every person would be secure in life and liberty, with an equitable opportunity for a prosperous life.
There are some similarities between the conditions that resulted in the War of Independence and what many Americans feel they are experiencing today.
The Vietnam and civil rights years deeply challenged public trust in the institutions of American government and society. That breach created fertile ground for a media barrage claiming that ordinary working people are being tyrannized by left-leaning elites. The so-called “heartland”—the last holdout of real Americans—was portrayed as ignored and unheard by liberal coastal elites more interested in radical social policies that gave underserved advantages to minorities at the expense of ordinary people.
Race and gender were at the heart of messages that claimed to promote fairness and justice but proved effective tools for inciting discontent. One could blame the messengers—and they certainly bear responsibility—but their messages hit real nerves: fear, anxiety, and a profound sense of abandonment.
As in the revolutionary era, it seemed the institutions of federal government, big business, and elite universities had failed to hear and heed the voices of this segment of the population. Congress enacted policies and funded programs to meet real needs, but they did so in ways that made people recipients, not participants. Human dignity erodes when one’s sense of agency is disrespected or ignored.
Big business treats every consumer as a malleable commodity, easily manipulated by appealing to desire. Millions who work for big corporations are rightfully proud of what they do, but may also carry the nagging suspicion that the corporation cares little for them or for anyone else.
Elite universities assumed the role of arbiters for what is right and acceptable for the good of America. But their criticism of tradition often came across as condemnation of ordinary people and their ways.
Let’s be clear: whatever the reality, right-wing media seized every nerve, exaggerated every threat, and demonized everything inconsistent with their definition of “heartland values.” They turned smoldering resentment over real problems into the populist uprising we now know as MAGA.
So where does that leave us?
First, and by far the most difficult, is to do everything in a way that affirms the dignity of every human being. Heartland Americans must come to believe that their dignity is fully affirmed—but not greater than anyone else's. No individual can flourish apart from the well-being of the whole.
Second, the federal bureaucracy must be restructured as a leaner, more efficient organization oriented to public service and satisfaction.
Third, the legislative rules governing large corporations must include enforceable standards of accountability—to workers, to customers, and to the communities in which they operate.
Fourth, public community colleges and universities must be adequately funded to provide affordable, accessible education for all, whether that leads to a licensed trade or a Ph.D. is secondary. What matters is that the doors are open.
The Rev. Steven Woolley is a retired Episcopal priest who publishes the Country Parson newsletter. He and his wife have lived in Williamsburg for five years following years of service in New York and Washington.
Read more of his work on his substack: stevenwoolley.com
The Dangers of Closing the Department of Education.
By Nate Ross.
On Thursday, March 20, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order dismantling the Department of Education (DOE), fulfilling one of his biggest campaign promises.
Among other things, the department serves as a vital source of funding for schools in under-privileged communities, providing much needed resources for these students through the Title I program. With Trump’s order to dissolve the department, almost 50,000 schools across the country will lose access to the money and support provided through Title I (James & Ragland, 2024).
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, its core purpose of Title I is to “provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps by allocating federal funds for education programs and services.”
It fulfills this purpose by allocating funds to both state and local education agencies, which then handle the distribution of more than $18 billion dollars to nearly 50,000, or 63%, of individual schools . There are seven Title I schools serving more than 3,500 K-5 students in the Williamsburg-James City County school division.
Receiving a high quality education has been shown to improve social cohesion, economic growth, and innovation (Runde, Bandura, & McLean, 2023). Just because a child is born into a low-income family does not mean they should lose the opportunity to receive a top-notch education.
Though Title I will continue without the Department of Education, it will be significantly cut. In 2023 Title I received a total of $36.5 billion dollars for its programs. That number has been cut in half. WJCC schools received $1,832,183 for Title I programs last year, according to the school budget.
Without the DOE, states would have final say in the distribution of all money received through Title I. The structured oversight and accountability that the DOE currently provides would be nonexistent, allowing bias and the possibility of inequitable distribution.
Little can be done to change the funding cuts that have already taken place, but one can prepare for the future.
For starters, it is up to every Williamsburg resident to make it clear to their representatives at every level just how important Title I is.
Rep. Robert Wittman, R – Va., represents the Williamsburg area and is a member of the political party threatening Title I. Reach out to him and make it clear that Title I funds and oversight need to be defended. 2026 is also an election year, and so if Wittman does not act to defend vital Title I funding, then maybe it is time for a new representative for the First congressional district.
You can also talk to the WJCC school board and ensure they have plans in place for the current Title I funding cuts, as well as any future cuts that may come about.
The WJCC school board holds its regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, where residents can come and speak their mind. Only by showing up in force can we make sure a plan is put in place for the loss of Title I funding, should the Trump administration continue on its current path.
While we cannot change the past, we can certainly prepare for the future; a future that should include Title I in its fullest potential, providing equitable funding for underfunded schools and education systems
Nate Ross is a William & Mary student
Wittman Votes to Disenfranchise Millions of Americans
By Dennis Litalien
On April 10, 2025, Rob Wittman, a nine-term Republican congressman representing Virginia’s 1st District, voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which if allowed to become law, would disenfranchise millions of American citizens.
Wittman has become a willing accomplice in support of President Donald Trump’s long running, baseless attacks on the integrity of U.S. elections.
Consider these facts provided by the Center for American Progress regarding the SAVE Act:
“It requires all Americans to prove their citizenship status by presenting documentation-in-person-when registering to vote or updating their voter registration information. Specifically, the legislation would require the vast majority of Americans to rely on a passport or birth certificate to prove their citizenship. While this may sound easy for Americans, more than 140 million American citizens do not possess a passport and as many as 69 million women who have taken their spouse’s name do not have a birth certificate matching their legal name.
“Because documentation would need to be presented in person, the legislation, in practice, will prevent Americans from being able to register to vote by mail; end voter registration drives nationwide; and eliminate online voter registration overnight—a service 42 states rely on. Americans would need to appear in person, with original documentation, to even simply update their voter registration information for a change of address or change in party affiliation (imagine how that would impact military voters and American citizens living overseas). These impacts alone would set voter registration sophistication and technology back by decades and would be unworkable for millions of Americans, including more than 60 million people who live in rural areas. Additionally, driver’s licenses—including REAL IDs—as well as military or tribal IDs would not be sufficient forms of documentation to prove citizenship under the legislation.
“In short, the SAVE Act is disastrous legislation that would drastically alter the way every American citizen registers to vote. The legislation completely disregards the resources available to most Americans—Republicans, Democrats and Independents—could be disenfranchised. Leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has declared that passing the legislation is one of their top priorities for the 199th Congress.”
This senseless and dangerous legislation does nothing more than satisfy the revenge fantasies of a president who could care less about election integrity. It’s discriminatory, un-American and unequivocally wrong.
Last year, 90 million eligible American citizens didn’t vote. If anything, we should focus on encouraging them to vote by making it easier instead of harder.
We have the capacity and technology to do so without jeopardizing election integrity. Wittman has become no more than a rubberstamp for Trump. He stopped listening to constituents long ago and proven himself unworthy of another term in Congress.
Wittman believes disenfranchising millions of American citizens is perfectly fine. We can do better by electing a new U.S. Representative in 2026. We could hardly do any worse.
Dennis Litalien, a retired Marine, is a former supply chain logistics manager who lives in Williamsburg. He is a registered Democrat.
Our schools must prioritize career skills , not just college degrees
By Glenn Marshall
A new generation of professionals is reshaping the traditional dichotomy between blue-collar and white-collar jobs. These modern workers combine hard and soft skills, leveraging knowledge and traits that enable them to navigate both technical and interpersonal challenges. Known for their proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), as well as their practical, hands-on experience, these individuals are increasingly indispensable in industries such as technology, healthcare, military, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing.
This shift calls for an educational paradigm that prioritizes skill acquisition over degree attainment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 60% of new jobs between 2020 and 2030 will be in roles that do not necessarily require an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. Furthermore, a report from Jobs For The Future (JFF) highlights that 81% of employers favor hiring based on skills rather than formal educational credentials.
Career and Technical Education has proven to be a significant change in addressing dropout rates and fostering student engagement. National studies reveal that many high school dropouts (including learning challenged students like dyslexic) would have remained in school had they been offered relevant, real-world, hands-on learning opportunities. Virginia’s schools provide a compelling case study: during the 2021-2022 academic year, the CTE student graduation rate stood at an impressive 95.7%. This demonstrates the value of equipping students with practical skills and competencies that enable them to envision a clear pathway toward meaningful careers.
CTE programs offer a framework that encourages inquiry, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of how things work. For example, understanding the mechanics of a machine or the coding behind a software application can empower students to become creators and not just consumers of technology. These traits are highly valued by employers and are often the deciding factor in hiring decisions.
By benchmarking best practices, these districts can identify and replicate strategies that are yielding measurable results. Areas of focus might include:
· Curriculum Design: Sharing effective CTE curricula that align with industry needs and standards.
· Teacher Training: Developing professional development programs that equip educators to deliver hands-on, skills-based instruction.
· Industry Partnerships: Cultivating relationships with local businesses to provide internships, apprenticeships, and real-world learning opportunities.
· Student Engagement: Implementing initiatives that enhance student interest and participation in STEM and vocational programs.
· Equity and Access: Ensuring all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality CTE and STEM programs.
By working together, Williamsburg James City County (WJCC) and York County School Districts can create an educational ecosystem that not only serves their students but also strengthens the entire economic development of the region. The time to act is now—because the future of education is collaborative, skills-focused, and full of promise.
Marshall is a Williamsburg area resident who retired from Texas Instruments and serves on AME. He is dyslexic.
You have a right to know what your government is doing
By Megan Rhyne
Imagine you wake up one morning, flip on the TV news, and there, broadcasting from Duke of Gloucester Street, a beaming reporter is announcing that crews are onsite, ready to break ground on an Olympic-sized swimming pool right there in Merchant’s Square. The camera pans to an artist’s rendering of a multi-level patio, replete with lounge chairs, a tiki bar and potted palm trees. The reporter announces that this city-funded project will not be open to area residents, only tourists on holiday in Williamsburg.
You’re understandably aghast. You’ve got questions. How did this happen?
Sometimes we need hyperbole to make a point. And the point here is that as a government of, by and for the people, the people have a right to know how decisions are made, how their money is spent and who is responsible for the decisions that impact them.
It’s not a novel concept. One of the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence was that King George III convened legislative bodies at unusual places and away from the repository of public records, “for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.” James Madison famously added, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Though these notions have always underpinned our ideals as a nation, it wasn’t until 1966 that the federal Freedom of Information Act was enacted to codify them. Virginia passed its own version of FOIA in 1968. As laid out in its opening provisions, the act exists to ensure “ready access” to our state and local government meetings and records.
“The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government,” reads Section 2.2-3700 of the Virginia FOIA.
FOIA sets out the processes by which anyone can ask to see the records our government is creating, keeping and using as they do business in our name. FOIA is the ultimate in oversight, the original “receipts.”
You have the right to ask for records that would help you understand how the DOG Street Deep End came into being.
You also have a right to attend meetings where these matters were supposed to have been discussed. Virginia’s FOIA sets out rules for those meetings aimed at allowing the public to watch their representatives at work.
Unfortunately, we see too many instances where those in government either don’t know the law, don’t understand its application, are ignorant of the reasons for the law or, at the very worst, actively undermine the law.
It’s not because they are evil people — they are usually our friends or neighbors. It’s because they fear the power of information, just like Madison said. They fear losing control of the message and they fear the possible repercussions of oversight.
What these folks underestimate is the power of transparency. It’s the power truth and openness have to build trust and encourage buy-in. The more upfront they are, the more the people they serve will believe them, not only when things go well, but even when things start going wrong.
If everyone embraced the basic humanity and underlying civic virtue of an open government, it might not be a glittering utopia of swimming pools and palm trees, but it would be a place of infinitely more trust in our government, in institutions, and even in each other.
Megan Rhyne is Williamsburg born and raised. The nonprofit Virginia Coalition for Open Government began in 1996 with funding from various media organizations, and its board of directors includes librarians, genealogists, broadcasters, newspapers and the public at large.
Want my contribution? Tell me how you’ll spend it
By Steven Wooley
Candidates, political parties, and PACs are addicted to sending out fundraising emails and texts. They never quit, but the flow gets heavier as elections near.
They all say the same thing: "This is the most important letter we have ever written. We are short of our monthly or quarterly goal and the deadline is upon us. We must win this race to save the country but need more money."
I look at one on occasion just to see if it says anything new, but delete most of them as fast as they come in.
When they start telling me what they are going to do with the money, I might begin paying attention, maybe even make a contribution. It depends.
I’m tired of platitudes and clichés about lower costs, full employment, better schools, and the like. Don’t go on about voter outreach, how energized the campaign is, or ask me to fill out a questionnaire no one will ever read. I want to hear what kind of city, county, state, or nation parties and candidates would want us to be. Is that too much to ask? It is when parties and candidates would rather be as vague as possible but visionary in an unaccountable way. And for heaven’s sake, please stop telling us the sky is falling and that only you can give us a promised land of peace and prosperity.
As for PACs, they were meant to solicit funds from small donors who were in general agreement with the PAC’s political agenda. Citizens United changed all of that. Now we have Super PACs that are little more than mega-million-dollar bribery funds to pay off legislators and executives. Maybe they’re here to stay, but they aren’t getting my $10.
Am I being too harsh? Do I not realize how much it costs to run an effective campaign these days? Do I not understand how sophisticated modern electoral politics has become? I don't think so. I've been following political events for almost six decades.
Let me suggest a few ideas for improvement. First, trust a new Supreme Court to overturn Citizens United. Second, require PACs to report all donor contributions. Third, enact state and federal legislation to limit the length of campaign seasons.
The Rev. Steven Woolley is a retired Episcopal priest who publishes the Country Parson newsletter. He and his wife have lived in Williamsburg for five years following years of service in New York and Washington.
James City County needs zero based budgeting
By Steven Mains
James City County’s Board of Supervisors trumpets a “stable” property tax rate, cloaking themselves in a facade of fiscal virtue, but this is a cruel deception.
Skyrocketing property assessments have silently plundered residents, jacking up tax bills without a single vote to raise the rate. In a decade, median home values soared from $300,000 in 2015 to $412,000 today, inflating tax burdens by over 33%. Yet, even after a staggering 21% property tax revenue surge in 2024/25, the board demands even more taxation, eyeing a meals tax hike. It’s time for the supervisors to stand with struggling retirees and the working poor, dismantling a system that bleeds residents to fuel runaway spending.
That median-priced home costs the resident almost $930 more annually with no increase in income with which to pay it. Add in significant increases in insurance and utilities, and the impact worsens. For those on fixed incomes, low-wage workers, or families barely making ends meet, these increases are devastating.
Unlike income growth, home appreciation doesn’t provide extra cash to cover taxes, forcing people already on the edge to make tough choices between taxes and essentials like food or medicine.
The supervisors routinely approve these assessment-driven hikes without exploring alternatives that would cut the tax burden. Instead, even after a 21% revenue boost, they’re considering another increase in the meals tax, further straining local businesses and residents.
Rather than endorsing higher taxes, the board should demand a transparent budgeting process that puts residents first.
The current system is fundamentally broken. County staff present budgets assuming maximum spending, almost daring the board to try to make unpopular cuts. This flawed approach inverts responsibility, forcing supervisors to justify reductions instead of starting with a lean baseline.
Supervisors should require staff to offer staged budget options: a “Base” plan with no spending growth, a “Base plus inflation” option to sustain services, and a “Base plus inflation plus specific needs” plan with clear, justified priorities. Each option should specify the resulting tax rate, empowering the supervisors and public to make informed choices.
Such reform would restore control to the supervisors, curbing staff-driven cost inflation. It would also show residents—especially the working poor juggling childcare and rising costs and seniors on fixed income—that their financial burdens matter. Our county government should champion our neighbors, not add to their struggles with relentless tax hikes.
James City County stands at a crossroads.
The board of supervisors can continue rubber-stamping unchecked spending and stealth tax hikes, or it can champion a fairer system that respects residents’ financial limits. By overhauling the budgeting process and rejecting new taxes, the board can show it serves the people, not the bureaucracy.
Residents need tax relief, not additional tax burdens. The time to act is now. We either build a community where neighbors can afford their homes without sacrificing food or medicine, or we let soaring taxes turn our county into an enclave of high-value homes, forcing lifelong residents out.
Steve Mains is a retired military officer and active small businessman who has lived in James City County since 1998.
Citizens should speak out against James City County’s spending spree
By Chris Henderson
Citizens and taxpayers of James City County better wake up. The Board of Supervisors is preparing to approve a 2026 budget that includes nearly half a billion dollars in capital improvement projects over the next five years!
What do we get for $454.8 million? We get a new municipal complex costing $189.5 million plus a library for another $50 million, a replacement fire station #3 at $20 million, some money for school projects - no new schools just repairs -- and other repairs and purchases to the tune of $125 million over the period.
The studies used to justify the new municipal complex are fatally flawed. The original cost of building a replacement facility was estimated to be $90 million to$100 million. Now it is $189.5 million and will surely exceed $200 million by the time they get done.
The studies also claimed there will be significant demand for the current complex on Mounts Bay Rd. and that it will generate lots of private sector jobs and investment.
Having spent 40 years in the commercial real estate business, I can tell you the buildings are all special purpose structures and have no contributory value. Rather than the farcical premium projected by rosy eyed consultants pushing new construction, the county will be lucky to get land value minus demolition. Williamsburg's office vacancy hovers near 20% and is the highest in the region.
The consultants tasked with evaluating the county complex subsequently submitted an unsolicited proposal to build the new one in the years following Covid. The county claims it advertised the opportunity to other developers and contractors. It received only one competing bid, proving its lack of effectiveness in advertising the largest capital project in James City County history.
So today, we stand on the precipice of getting stuck with a $200M boondoggle based on flawed studies and a non-completive design and construction bidding process.
Our elected board of supervisors lacks the skillset necessary to provide meaningful and constructive oversight of this project. They should have followed the process used when New Town was built, and a Design Review Board of various experts was selected to oversee the process.
At a minimum, the Board should put the matter before the voters in November. The municipal complex and library should be placed separately on the ballot to let the voters decide based on their priorities.
Securing voter approval would allow the county to issue general obligation bonds, which lowers the cost of borrowing and save taxpayers millions over the 20-year term of the bonds.
Thus far, the board has refused to consider doing this. They know that if the matter is rejected by voters, they will have a harder time cramming this ill-conceived project down the throats of already overburdened taxpayers.
Taxpayers would be better served if the money spent on debt went to cover more than $14 million in unfunded requests, including more than $1 million for police overtime pay and additional officers and equipment; $10 million to allow our schools to raise teacher pay so that we are competitive with other localities in the region, and money to hire additional fire fighters and paramedics.
These are legitimate funding requests for public services that people depend on. We do not need a $200 million Municipal Complex when the current facility works well and is paid for.
We get the government we deserve and without significant pushback, county taxpayers will be in debt up to our eyes.
Chris Henderson is a commercial real estate developer, a former member of the James City County Planning Commission and former chair of the Williamsburg-James City County Republican Committee.
Time to replace Rob Wittman
By Dennis Litalien
During 20- plus years of living in Eastern North Carolina, my congressman was Walter B. Jones Jr., who represented the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Camp Lejeune.
Walter was from a respected political family, and his father, Walter B. Jones Sr., was a long-time Democratic congressman before him. It’s no stretch to believe many seniors voted for Walter because they thought they were still voting for his daddy.
A Democrat early on, Walter switched to the Republican Party in 1995 and served 12 terms in Congress until his death in 2019.
Walter initially supported the Iraq War, however he quickly broke with the Bush Administration after discovering American troops were being placed in harm’s way under false pretenses. For years afterwards, as a reminder of the war’s senselessness, Walter covered the walls outside his congressional office with photos of troops killed in Iraq and actively sought to bring the rest home.
Walter was never shy about opposing GOP legislation he disagreed with. For instance, in his last term Walter voted against the 2017 Trump tax cut because he felt it would explode the deficit.
Eastern North Carolina Democrats and Republicans alike loved and respected Walter. Most importantly, they trusted him.
Walter’s greatest legacy was probably in providing constituency support to the people of his district. Walter never forgot who put him in Congress, and he went out of his way to help people, oftentimes meeting personally with folks back home and in Washington. Walter’s staff was legendary for being one of the most responsive in the U.S. Congress.
Virginia’s 1st District Congressman Republican Rob Wittman is no Walter B. Jones, Jr., which is precisely why he deserves to be defeated in 2026.
Wittman appears incapable of upholding the oath he swore as a member of Congress. Keeping President Donald Trump happy by supporting MAGA objectives seems to be his main concern.
Wittman’s silence on important topics speaks volumes, and includes Trump signing unconstitutional executive orders, ignoring crushing tariffs, mindless DOGE eviscerations, the Signal debacle, his assaults on freedom of speech and adding $5.7 trillion to the national debt by expanding the 2017 tax cuts, just to name a few.
Back home, Wittman has been totally unwilling to meet with constituents. Recently he skipped his own town hall at the Williamsburg Regional Library and followed up by ending his monthly mobile office hours in town. His telephone “town halls” are orchestrated farces where people must sign up beforehand and questions are required to be submitted in advance.
Recently I heard a story from a local veteran who wrote Wittman asking for help and never received so much as a reply to his query. This is constituency support, Rob Wittman-style. It’s no wonder voters are furious with him. In the past few weeks I’ve attended two protests against Mr. Whitman, one at the JCC rec center and another at the front entrance of Kingsmill, each with more than 100 disgruntled constituents displeased with our current representative.
The people of the 1st Congressional district in both parties deserve a representative in Congress who has their backs. I’m eager to support any qualified candidate challenging Wittman in 2026.
Dennis Litalien, a retired Marine, is a former supply chain logistics manager who lives in Williamsburg. He is a registered Democrat.
Politics through a religious lens
By Steven Wooley
I write on politics and religion, so it wasn't surprising when I was asked to offer a few words on what Jesus might say about today's political scene. That would be far too presumptuous, but there are some things to be said.
God spoke through each of the Old Testament prophets, warning that nations are destroyed from within when justice is perverted. The poor and aliens are oppressed, wealth is held by the few while the rest struggle, taxes are imposed unfairly, workers are cheated, and so on.
God has spoken in plain, ordinary language. It's as clear as can be. Did the people listen? Not much, and they suffered the consequences they brought upon themselves. Step away from scripture, and the same has happened to every dominant nation and empire anywhere on the globe. It's such an obvious lesson. I don't know why we refuse to learn it.
The Old Testament prophets are one thing, but what about Jesus? He said that to be great, you must be the servant of those for whom you are responsible. His ministry of healing, reconciliation, and restoration benefited more than individuals; it mended breaches in society that weakened the fullness of life only achieved in a community that protects the poor and oppressed, provides opportunity for everybody, and places its highest value on the virtues of integrity.
How do the Old Testament prophets fit in? Remember that Jesus did not come to abolish the law; he came to fulfill it. For Christians, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, which. I means that his endorsement of everything the prophets said about the social and economic conditions needed for nations to exist in stability, harmony, and generous prosperity for all is sealed by the Word of God personally, in our sight.
One more insight is important: God's standards for nations to live in prosperous harmony have nothing to do with the politics of modern nation-states. In God's realm, a nation is the people who live in a certain land. It is the people whom God loves, cares for, and desires the best life for.
The entire purpose of the state is to serve the well-being of the nation, that is, all the people who live in the land, not just some of them. To make the point clearer, while Greek democracy limited citizenship to property-owning males born and residing in Athens, God instructed the Jewish nation to receive aliens as if they were citizens. Yes, it is possible to pull out proof texts to the contrary, but they are overwritten by Christ himself.”
While I cannot presume to put words into Jesus's mouth, as an Episcopal priest and pastor I can say that our nation has lost its way. It has followed too much its own desires and devices.
But as these last few weeks have demonstrated, the people are surging and struggling to reclaim their democratic rights and privileges. The virtues of a just and prosperous nation bequeathed to us by God's holy word is a part of that struggle. It favors no political party, but it does favor the work of organizations that promotes the way of God's justice and peace.
The Rev. Steven Woolley is a retired Episcopal priest who publishes the Country Parson newsletter. He and his wife have lived in Williamsburg for five years following years of service in New York and Washington.
A New Approach to Organizing Williamsburg/James City County School Governance
By Kyra Cook
James City County and Williamsburg’s joint school division has long benefited our community. With thoughtful planning, we can strengthen it for future generations. While there are multiple ways to reach an agreement, I offer the following considerations to promote collaboration, financial sustainability, and student success.
1. Inclusion of All Four Governing Bodies
A strong partnership requires input from all stakeholders. The original WJCC joint contract included both school boards, but at some point, in the 1980s, they were removed without public explanation. Reintroducing them would ensure school priorities are fully represented in decision-making and strengthen alignment between educational needs and local funding. Their participation would also improve transparency, accountability, and communication across the community.
2. A Smarter Approach to School Building Ownership and Investment
We should take the next five years to evaluate whether school buildings should be owned by their respective locality’s school board. This would mean the county school board owns county schools, and the city school board owns city schools, simplifying funding decisions and making facility investment more predictable. This approach allows each locality to maintain its schools according to its priorities and foster a spirit of shared responsibility.
3. Equitable Funding for New Construction Based on Enrollment Growth
New school construction should reflect actual student population growth: each locality contributes based on its student population increase over the previous five years. For example, if WJCC gains 1,000 students and 50 come from the city, the city would contribute 5% of new school construction costs, including design and equipment. This model removes the need for case-by-case negotiations and ensures decisions are grounded in enrollment data. It also clarifies whether new schools are being built to address past growth or future projections, ensuring schools stay ahead of capacity needs.
4. Consistent Capital Improvement Plan Investments
If a formula-based approach to new construction is not feasible, another effective strategy is setting a stable annual capital investment, adjusted for inflation. This model, used successfully by other localities, allows school divisions to plan long-term and prioritize projects.
5. Ensuring Predictable and Stable School Budgets
School funding should be a reliable foundation rather than an annual uncertainty. A funding formula would create consistency, reduce stress, and allow school leadership to focus on student success. Potential models include:
- A set, matching percentage of each locality’s budget (e.g., 40% each),
- A uniform percentage above the state-required local effort (e.g., 120%), or
- A per-pupil funding amount, adjusted annually for inflation.
This approach removes politics and unpredictability from school funding, ensures financial stability for schools and aligns their budgets with local economic conditions while creating parity between the localities. If the localities thrive, schools benefit; if local budgets tighten, schools share responsibility in a structured, predictable manner.
6. Strategic Incentive Funding for Community Priorities
A well-designed contract should also allow for additional incentive-based funding to address shared community goals. Many local governments collaborate with their school districts on initiatives that support at-risk students, reduce disparities, and enhance educational outcomes. Fairfax County’s “One Fairfax” model is an excellent example of this approach. A similar strategy in WJCC could facilitate joint efforts on issues such as attendance zones, class sizes, and student support services. This fostes collaboration between school and local government leaders and allows each locality to fund in a manner reflective of its political values.
7. Clearly Defining Roles and Responsibilities
A strong partnership requires clear expectations to prevent mission creep and ensure smooth governance. The contract should explicitly define the roles of each governing body:
- Local governments should support but not dictate educational programming or facility funding decisions without school board approval.
- School board governance should remain independent, with voting practices determined by the board itself.
- Superintendents should remain accountable to school boards, rather than local governments, maintaining the proper chain of command.
By outlining these principles, the contract can create a structure that allows each body to focus on its core responsibilities in an effective, cooperative relationship.
With a well-structured contract, we can ensure stability, fairness, and collaboration in the WJCC school division. A clear funding model, shared accountability, and strategic planning will provide the necessary foundation for continued educational excellence. This is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership in a way that benefits all students and ensures our schools have the resources they need to thrive.