WILLIAMSBURG — Members of the Williamsburg Community School Board unanimously approved adding a girls junior high volleyball team for the 2026-27 school year at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Superintendent Lisa Murgas said after the meeting that the district discussed adding a junior high team for years before agreeing to implement it this upcoming school year.

“We have the student interest,” she said, “The head coach, with the volleyball team, is interested in getting that juvenile program up and running, so the board has agreed it’s time to move forward.”

The district is slated to spend about $6,000 from its athletic fund balance to cover coaching and transportation costs, according to Murgas. The junior high team will travel alongside the varsity team.

In other news, the board also approved the district’s three-year special education plan, which includes the addition of an emotional support class.

Instead of sending students who receive special education services to external programs such as Soaring Heights or Merakey, Murgas said they can now learn inside the district with a new class.

The district previously paid about $150,000 to send their students to external special education programs, but by establishing its own class, the district will now pay about $90,000 for instructor and paraprofessional costs, creating savings of $60,000.

“We brought those students back into our district, and that’s why we created that position,” she said. “Having those students in our district, part of their school and the community, that’s the goal. It’s a win-win.”

Out of 471 students, she said 83 students receive special education services, making up about 18% of their total student population. She said the number is lower compared to years past.

Special services include speech, learning and autistic support services. The district’s special education fund is due to the state on May 1.

Members also approved a monthly cost of $28,371 to the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center to send 50 students in the 2026-27 school year.

Business manager Kalie Zabrosky said students from participating schools attend the technology center for three years on average. Over three years, the average for Williamsburg is 53 students.

Mid Penn Bank, along with the local VFW and American Legion, donated upwards of $10,000 to help the district purchase two scoreboards for their baseball field.

Board member Christina Neri and others are currently working on designs for the boards, which should be in place by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.