How We Got Here

Starting in January 2023, the Board partnered with Emergent Architecture to develop a facilities master plan for the district. That plan took shape as a result of tours of other school facilities, meetings with community members and district leadership, an assessment of our current facilities and programming, and a comparison of our facilities to other districts with similar enrollments and location.

That plan led to a recommendation to the Board in April 2024 for a two-phase proposal to address facilities needs.

We are currently engaged in Phase I of the plan:

renovation of the jr./sr. high school, that includes a new kitchen and commons, re-purposing existing space for classroom use, and new school counselor office areas.
A 5th-6th-grade addition at Mary Welsh Elementary School that will provide classrooms for reading, mathematics, social studies, and science instruction, as well as a common area to promote collaborative learning opportunities, and a school counselor office space, as well. Additionally, a new chiller will replace an aging unit that will serve the entire building. By expanding the building to serve 5th and 6th-grade students, we’ll be able to provide K-4th-grade classrooms with additional learning community space that better meets the expectations of a 21st-century classroom.

This phase is funded by statewide sales tax dollars allocated specifically for infrastructure projects like this one, not local property tax.

Last November, the District proposed Phase II of the plan, a series of projects that would impact Career and Technical Education, continue with advancements started in Phase I at Mary Welsh Elementary, and improve energy efficiency. Those projects were voted on, but lacked the support necessary for a successful bond issue.

THANKS TO YOUR INPUT, WE’VE MADE MEANINGFUL ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVIOUS PROPOSALS.

Over the past year, the Williamsburg Community School District Board of Education and Administration have been thoughtfully evaluating how to best meet the long-term facility needs of our students, staff, and community. This important work began last November, following the outcome of the previous bond vote.

While the bond referendum was not approved, we deeply respect and appreciate the voice of our community. That decision sparked meaningful reflection and renewed commitment to listening, learning, and planning with care.

Since then, we’ve continued to assess our facilities and available resources as part of the District’s Long-Range Facilities Plan. In January, and again in May, we reached out to our community through a survey to better understand your priorities and concerns. Your feedback has been invaluable.

In response, the Board and leadership team have been actively exploring new and more financially feasible options. These include reducing the overall cost of the proposal, phasing improvements over time, and aligning the pace of change with what feels financially comfortable for our community.

One clear take-away from your input is the importance of strengthening our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. As a result, the Board is prioritizing improvements to our CTE spaces as the next step in our facilities’ plan, an investment that supports hands-on learning, workforce readiness, and student success.

We’re committed to making smart, community-driven decisions that reflect our shared values and vision for the future. Thank you for continuing to engage with us as we work together to build a stronger tomorrow for Williamsburg students.

This proposal truly does focus on Learning For Life.