Small nuclear reactors to be considered in York County zoning regulations

Good morning! Also today...WJCC Schools start redistricting process for elementary schools, and York Schools launch online vote on changing Magruder Elementary School’s name,.

Jun 05, 2025

Anticipating potential developments at the Naval Weapons Station, York County supervisors agreed Tuesday to study changing zoning rules to allow small nuclear reactors.

The weapons base, which supports the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was one of seven Navy and Marine Corps bases identified by the Pentagon as potential candidates for a nuclear-based power supply to keep them operating in the event of power disruptions, bad weather or cyberattacks.

Last month President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the use of such reactors, particularly on military bases, by streamlining regulatory requirements and reducing licensing timelines.

Base commander Capt. Daniel A. Patrick is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with the president of Dominion Energy Friday morning to explore a variety of options to ensure reliable power to the base.

Those options include solar power and natural gas as well as the nuclear option, said Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida.

“We don’t have a preferred power source,” said the spokesperson, adding that the talks with Dominion have been underway for 18 months.

The Yorktown base borders James City County and the city of Newport News in addition to York County. Lonzanida said any plan to include a modular reactor would include a comprehensive mitigation plan and would comply with all applicable rules and regulations.

WJCC schools start elementary school redistricting process

The process for redistricting the nine elementary schools in the Williamsburg-James City County school system is officially underway.

School Board members spoke at their Tuesday work session with members of the consulting team that will take them through what is often an emotionally charged process for both parents and school officials.

Parents will get a chance to weigh in from December of this year through most of 2026, said MGT director Lance Richards, with a final recommendation in October of 2026.

“Everyone in the community will be able to participate,” Richards assured the board, either online or in person.

The schools will be redistricted in two years when the school system completes two new Pre-Kindergarten centers. This will leave unused capacity at existing elementary schools, opening the door to redistricting students.

The consultants asked school board members to list the items they considered most critical, and most of them said they wanted to preserve neighborhood schools as much as possible and minimize the time children spend on buses.

But most also said they wanted to fully utilize the schools’ capacity and keep racial, economic and language diversity in their student bodies, goals which are not necessarily consonant with keeping all students close to neighborhood schools.

“This is such a huge change,” said board member Amy Chen, who represents Williamsburg.

The kickoff will lead to the preparation phase that will involve capacity issues, analyze the data and forecast student numbers until October.

That will lead to community forums from December of 2025 to September 2026, during which time the consultant will continue to refine boundary options before making final recommendations to the school board in October of next year.

Richards said the consultants have been seeing a gradual decline in kindergarten students nationwide as the country ages.

York County residents will get a chance to voice their opinion on whether to rename Magruder Elementary school, through an online survey that will kick off before the end of the current school year.

At their meeting Monday, the York school board approved the mechanics of an online survey aimed at county residents, as well as Magruder alumni who no longer live in the area but have a connection to Magruder.

Media Relations Director Katherine Goff, who has been researching options for the board, said the schools would email survey links to stakeholders for whom they have email addresses, with a separate survey for residents of the Bruton district where Magruder is located.

Other respondents will be able to use an online form but will be asked to provide a name and address in an attempt to minimize duplication of votes.

The survey will be up for a 7-10 day window, said Goff, and those who receive invitations to participate will also get a reminder a day before the survey cuts off.

School Chair Kimberly S. Goodwin did not promise the survey would be the final word on the board’s decision, but will give the board more information to “assess from the public in all our districts what their take is.”

Board members stressed they wanted to prevent nonresidents from voting, and keep respondents from electronically stuffing the ballot box by voting multiple times.

Goodwin also asked Superintendent Victor D. Shandor to research what changing the name would cost.

The neighboring Williamsburg-James City County school system has estimated it would cost as much as $100,000 or more to change the name of James Blair Middle School, including changing the gym floor signage and new uniforms for teams.

Wanted: Thoughtful opinions on local issues.

We welcome fact-based essays on issues affecting us locally. For details on how to submit and what we’re looking for, click on our Opinion Section.

Local and State Headlines

Local governments look at restricting vape shops and sexually oriented businesses.

Hampton Roads is losing nearly $50 million in federal environmental and disaster grants

Virginia caught between Canadian smoke and African dust

Weekend Fun

The Williamsburg Greek Festival starts today and runs through Sunday, with food, dancing demonstrations and tours of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

The festival, held at the church at 4900 Mooretown Road, supports local charities including Fish and the Williamsburg House of Mercy.

From Souvlaki and pastichio dishes to Baklava and Greek cookies, Greek food is a central part of the festival.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series with the Tiki Bar band. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Driftwood plays at the Merchants Square Concert Series. June 6. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free.

250^th Anniversary of Lord Dunmore’s Virginia Campaign. After dissolving the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg and in the midst of rising unrest, Dunmore escaped to a British ship in the York River on June 8, 1775 and organized numerous raids and attacks along the waterfront. The commemoration of the man colonists loved to hate lasts All day June 7, Yorktown.

Pippin, the Williamsburg Players. Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $22 adults, $12 children.

Capital Color Ride. June 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. $18 per person.

Yorktown Market Days. June 7, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival. June 8, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free.