HR 146

Commending Sarah Ortego.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2026
WHEREAS, Sarah Ortego provided outstanding leadership and support to the students, faculty, and staff of Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools as a member and chair of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board from 2021 to 2025; and
WHEREAS, Sarah Ortego cultivated a wide range of experience in business and government while working at the White House, on Capitol Hill, and for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., as well as for a large consulting firm in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, after moving to Williamsburg, Sarah Ortego was engaged in her children's schooling as a classroom volunteer and parent teacher association member; over the years, her three children attended elementary, middle, and high schools in the area, giving her a broad understanding of the challenges facing schools at every level; and
WHEREAS, believing that public education forms the bedrock of community life, Sarah Ortego ran for and was elected to the Williamsburg-James City County School Board to ensure that local teachers had the support they needed to help students learn, grow, and thrive; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure with the Williamsburg-James City County School Board, Sarah Ortego represented the Jamestown District and provided her expertise to the Career and Technical Education Committee, Student Advisory Committee, Policy Committee, and School Liaison Committee; and
WHEREAS, Sarah Ortego was elected as chair of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board for two consecutive terms and helped guide Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools through a period of significant change, including the hiring of a new superintendent; and
WHEREAS, as chair, Sarah Ortego ensured that diverse opinions were heard and respected while demonstrating a commitment to productive collaboration and consensus building that kept the best interests of students and teachers at the forefront of every decision; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Sarah Ortego hereby be commended for her service to students, teachers, and families on the Virginia Peninsula as a former member and chair of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sarah Ortego as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her achievements in service to the residents of Williamsburg and James City County.