School redistricting community forums coming in May

Good morning! It's March 5. Today we'll discuss next steps in the W-JCC schools redistricting process. Plus, York County's Chair pushes back on general assembly. And horses win the day.

Schools graphic

Williamsburg-James City County schools will be holding community forums in May to walk residents through the planned redistricting of local schools.

Redistricting was put on the table by the planned opening of two Bright Beginnings early education schools, which will move prekindergarten students out of the five elementary schools where they are currently being taught into dedicated buildings.

That shift will leave unused space in all but two elementary schools. Those two – Stonehouse Elementary and Mathew Whaley – are overcrowded already, and population growth will make matters worse unless students are shifted to the other schools.

The school board received an update on the redistricting steps at its work session Monday.

They were told that the school system’s redistricting steering committee, working with a consultant, is aiming to minimize disruption to students and families. But the group will consider individual school capacity, racial and demographic balance, and wha…