NEWS: Local School Procurement Focused on System Upgrades
WJCC seeks better classroom feedback; geothermal system for a York County school + more …
Below is a roundup of some of the projects currently being considered and implemented for Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and York County Public Schools. These include multiple initiatives to improve classroom performance and student proficiency, and significant capital expenditures to improve learning environments and services.
WJCC Public Schools
The Williamsburg-James City County joint public school system has recently issued solicitations for programs including an online tool for use in classrooms to enable better teacher feedback, an in-school banking program, a new cloud-based event ticketing system and solar power for multiple schools. Read more below.
Online tool for teacher training
A request for proposal (RFP) issued by James City County on behalf of Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools indicates that the system is hoping to improve feedback and input given to teachers. According to documents related to the RFP, the joint school system wants to implement an online tool to help administrators and teachers record classroom observations, collect data about instruction and generate related reports for all subjects across all grade levels.
The due date for bids is May 6 and the school system would like to have the new tool in place by August. Overall, the school system expects to start the program with 59 users in the Central Office, 100 teacher users and 56 school administrators. The final cost for the new observation tools is unknown, as the procurement team noted that WJCC Public schools does not provide estimates for projects.
In-school bank branch program
Another RFP describes an innovative program which aims to increase math proficiency by opening actual bank branches in 3 high schools. The branches that would be overseen by staff and run by students. According to the RFP, the school system seeks to partner with an existing financial institution to assist the project, which would include renovating existing space as well as providing technical and marketing support. Ultimately, the school system would like to create a professional environment that can attract business from other locations.
By establishing the bank branches, WJCC hopes to “provide a multidisciplinary method to reinforce, augment, and support the objectives of the Standards of Learning for Mathematics, English, History and Social Science, Computer Technology,” according to the RFP. Among specific skills that students may develop include utilizing mathematical concepts and learning money management and personal finance. Administrators also want to encourage students’ exploration of career options in business as well as develop a sense of entrepreneurship.
Event ticketing system
An upgrade may be coming to the ticketing experience at WJCC Public School athletic events in the form of a cloud-based system. According to an RFP, the new ticketing system “should enhance the efficiency of ticket sales, reservations, and customer management for school athletic events while ensuring user-friendly experience for both patrons and staff.”
Documents related to the project state that the school system sells tickets online for 11 different sports, including 50 high school sports teams and 24 middle school teams. Estimated annual ticket sales are 8K-10K.
Rooftop solar power
As previously reported in the Williamsburg Independent, WJCC schools are also considering a program to install solar panels on multiple schools. According to a recent RFP, the sytem “believes on-site PV power generation will provide a long-term financial benefit by reducing energy costs through reduction of peak demand loads and daily energy consumption at the sites. The program will provide high quality power with minimal environmental impact.”
The system is hoping to lease the necessary solar equipment from the selected vendor, who would also provide necessary maintenance as part of the agreement. The first schools being considered for the project are also likely to get new roofs within the next few years, including Matoaka Elementary School, Stonehouse Elementary School, Warhill High School, and the James River Elementary School (Gym). Securing funding for the new roofs will likely affect the outcome of this project as well.
York County Public Schools
York County Public Schools have recently introduced a Capital Improvement Plan that calls for almost $97M for investments in school infrastructure over the next 6 years. The potential plan would require $87M in public debt to accomplish the proposed projects by 2031. Read more below.
Geothermal well considered for Tabb High
A recent request for proposal (RFP) issued by York County for the public school system identified the requirements for beginning a new geothermal project at Tabb High. The system works by removing or transferring heat to the ground, which will provide both heating and cooling for the school. The resulting system “will provide better temperature and humidity control. Improved indoor air quality will contribute to an enhanced learning environment,” according to the Superintendents recent 5 year capital improvement plan (CIP). The school system also states that the new system will reduce operating and service costs for the school’s HVAC in the long run.
The recent RFP focuses on the first phase of the project which will include building a geothermal well field to provide heating and cooling for the school. According to the RFP, this work typically involves site preparation, installing necessary piping as well as a water proof utility shed for the well equipment. According to County documents concerning the RFP, the bid process concluded April 15, 2025 and garnered two proposals, one for $6.67M and the other for $7.13M.
The CIP notes $3.6M in fiscal year 2025 already allocated towards the geothermal project. The plan also anticipates $16.8M for the project in FY27. Other improvements slated for Tabb High through FY31 include lights for the turf field ($2.5M), LED lighting upgrade ($2.9M), new gym entrance ($1.7M), front entrance - media center - restrooms - learning commons ($11.9M).
Other upgrades in addition to those at Tabb High
Queens Lake Middle expansion, renovation, bus loop & parking ($27.7M)
Waller Mill Elementary expansion ($15M)
Bruton High HVAC replacement ($3.7M)
Dare Elementary bus loop and parking ($1.7M)
System use modular classrooms ($2.8M)
Pre-school space ($750K)
Editor’s Note: A Google AI tool called NotebookLM was used to help research this article.
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. He gets up early, so please consider buying him a cup of coffee.