Williamsburg-James City County School Board meetings will have earlier start times beginning next month.
School Board members voted unanimously at a meeting Jan. 20 to schedule future meetings 30 minutes earlier. Board meetings and work sessions will now begin at 6:30 p.m., rather than 7 p.m.
The earlier start time was approved for a “trial period,” but board member Ruth Larson (Berkeley) said it would be permanent, barring complications.
Larson said the earlier start time would help meetings end earlier, particularly on nights with multiple student honor segments and presentations.
Board member Elise Emanuel voted for the time change, but said it might make getting to the meeting on time more difficult.
“My only concern with this is those of you who drive in from Hampton and Newport News, getting off work and getting here early, I hope that won’t be a problem for you,” Emanuel said.
Board member Heather Cordasco (Roberts) also voted in favor of the time change, but was more vocal in her criticism of the plan.
“I think the line we’re trying to balance on is many of the staff and people that are here from central office, they’ve started their day very early at 7 a.m., and so we are essentially assigning them to a 13- or 14-hour day,” Cordasco said. “That being said, we don’t want to exclude anybody who’s coming from work.”
Cordasco also said the changed starting time was not meant to limit public participation during school board meetings.
“Personally, I’m always sorry that there aren’t five or 10 speaking cards at every meeting because I really think that is what that forum is for, for people to be able to come and express, especially as we’re coming up into budgetary times.”
The earlier start time is the second change to government meetings in James City County this month. At its organizational meeting Jan. 2, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to shuffle its meeting agenda, moving its meeting start time to 6:30 p.m. and putting a time limit on the public comment period.
Board Chairman Jim Kelly (Jamestown) said the change would be particularly helpful for students attending meetings, giving them extra time in the evening to complete their school work.
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