JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — More than a year after talks began to split the Williamsburg-James City County Schools system into two independent divisions, city and county officials say they want to stay together.
Williamsburg and James City County (JCC) leaders said they prefer to continue operating a joint school division.
On Friday, Williamsburg City Council informed JCC board members that they prefer to continue the partnership, but city officials want to renegotiate the current contract.
"Speaking for myself, yes, I am relieved," said county board chairman Ruth Larson. "I am ready to get on to the next step. Let's get on with this agreement, and let's get it signed."
County board members, including Ruth Larson, say they too want to stick with the joint system.
She says representatives from the city, county and school board will need to convene to figure out the next steps. However, she said it could take some time to reach a deal, and she could not provide a approximate timeline.
"We're going to need to meet, find out where each of us are, find out what's the definition of a modernized contract," she said. "What are each of us looking for?"
In a press release, Williamsburg officials said they want the new agreement to help address deficiencies discovered over the past year. A feasibility study found students living in the city limits did not perform as well as children from the county side of the school division.
"A modernized, joint operating contract should allow for the City to address these issues while also allowing both localities to maintain the benefits of a joint school division," read a release from the city on Friday.
All of Jacqueline Bridgeforth-Williams' children attended the WJCC school division, and she is glad to hear the two sides are leaning toward keeping the system together. She now oversees the Village Initiative, a non-profit organization that advocates for equity in area schools.
As officials consider a new deal, Bridgeforth-Williams hopes they focus on disparities in school suspensions and hiring minority educators.
"We know that we can accomplish that, but we are going to have to prioritize it, and come together, and come to the table together. It's about everyone in the room having a voice," she said.
Larson said this is not a process either side took lightly, and all parties want what is best for the school system.
"And we'll hammer out an agreement that will work best for all the students, whether they live in Williamsburg or James City County," said Larson.