This story was reported and written by WHRO media partner Williamsburg Watch.
The Williamsburg-James City County School Board approved a $219 million budget that leaves out lacrosse, prompting a heated exchange between some board members Tuesday night.
The board also heard from several parents opposed to the first draft of a redistricting map for school attendance.
During the vote on the budget, Stonehouse District representative Michael T. Hosang offered an amendment that would pay the $225,000 cost of making lacrosse a varsity sport by cutting .25% off the second phase of the compensation plan for teachers.
Hosang said the compensation plan was “a gift” to teachers because it was over and above the 2 to 3% pay raises mandated by the state. He also criticized teachers for sending out form emails to board members opposing his plan.
Roberts District representative Daniel R. Cavazos agreed with the plan to fund lacrosse. But the other board members rejected the idea, with Vice Chair Randy J. Riffle calling it “just wild.”
Chair Andrea M. Donnor was even more explicit that Hosang would “dare to insult” teachers for using form emails.
“We shouldn’t even be having this discussion,” Donnor added, saying the board “should never have even looked at, and had a discussion about trying to pay for something that was on (the teachers') backs.”
Jamestown representative Ty Hodges said he favored lacrosse, but that until other school systems followed suit, local students would have to travel to Richmond or Virginia Beach to play other districts.
After Hosang’s amendment was defeated 5-2, the board approved the budget on a 6-1 vote, with Hosang the opposing vote.
Five parents spoke at the meeting, expressing concern that the first draft of the school redistricting map they saw would send their children to schools far from their neighborhoods.
Several parents from the Pointe at Jamestown neighborhood said their children can walk and bike to school on neighborhood trails and asked if an exemption could be made. Others expressed concern that parents had not been heard during the three town halls the schools held on the subject last week.
Superintendent Daniel Keever anticipated their complaints in his comments earlier during Tuesday’s meeting, when he stressed the maps parents saw were not the final recommendations.
He said there would be a second round of maps in August, which the community could comment on, and perhaps a third draft in September before he makes a recommendation to the school board in October.
Keever urged the public to channel their feedback through the school system’s redistricting website so that it can all be gathered in one place.
“We believe in transparency, we believe in thoughtful engagement ... your feedback matters and I look forward to reading the information,” Keever said.
