Stephen “Ty” Hodges is a candidate for James City County School Board – Jamestown. His name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Hodges is running against the incumbent, Sarah G. Ortego.
The first day to vote early at your local voter registration office or satellite voting location for the Nov. 4 General Election is Sept. 19. Find your local office at this link. On Election Day, polls are open in Virginia from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Stephen “Ty” Hodges
Age: 34
Website: https://votehodges.com/
Party: N/A
Biography
Stephen “Ty” Hodges is running for the Jamestown seat on the Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) School Board. He moved to James City County a decade ago with his wife, Jessica, fresh out of Virginia Tech, eager to make his mark in local journalism as the sports reporter for Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily. Working as a local journalist helped him learn the area, become familiar with local schools and athletes, and – most importantly – fall in love with this corner of the Commonwealth.
Over the past two and a half years, he has embarked on the greatest challenge of his life: fatherhood. His daughter, Nelly, is the light of his life (and the “goofiest of goobers,” to those who know her), and he is committed to doing everything possible to make the world a better place for her.
That commitment is what drives him to run for the school board. As a parent, Ty wants to ensure that every student in the WJCC school system is safe, supported, and successful. From elementary through high school, he believes there is a moral obligation to provide the best possible learning environment for all children.
Ty understands firsthand how challenging school can be. He experienced bullying, required summer school to keep up in math, and faced a mental health crisis going into his senior year. He believes these experiences give him unique insight into the obstacles students face today.
To parents of vulnerable or struggling students, Ty pledges that they will be seen and heard with him on the school board. He intends to advocate for their children by pushing for more teachers and counselors, increased funding for special education programs, and an intensified effort to combat bullying and cyber bullying.
To parents of students who are excelling, he affirms that they, too, will be seen and heard. While the WJCC school system already has much to offer, he believes there is still room to improve. He aims to collaborate with the Board of Supervisors and City Council to secure funding for better facilities, expand educational and athletic opportunities, and ensure that students are fully prepared for whatever lies ahead after graduation.
Ty believes a strong public education system is one of the most significant contributions taxpayers can make to their community and country. He hopes voters will join him in his mission to make the WJCC school system one of the premier districts in the Commonwealth.
Why are you running for office?
I decided to run for school board because of my daughter, Nelly. My hopes for her led me to want to create a better world for not only her, but all of the children in our community. I’m a former local journalist who covered high school sports around the Historic Triangle. While roaming the sidelines of Lafayette, Warhill, and Jamestown, I got to see firsthand how much potential our children have when challenged and encouraged. That’s why I want to help ensure that every WJCC student is safe, supported, and successful in and out of the classroom.
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
I believe that if we want to take care of our students, we must first take care of the teachers who are with them every day in the classroom. I am the only school board candidate endorsed by our local teachers union because they know I will fight to ensure our schools have the resources they need. I support giving teachers a seat at the table to negotiate pay and benefits, and I want all students to have more opportunities through expanded vocational and trade programs here in Williamsburg, a JROTC program, and additional advanced courses for college-bound students.
Do you believe partisan politics have a place in schools?
I don’t believe partisan politics belong in our classrooms – and Virginia law reflects that. School board races here are nonpartisan by design, because our job is to serve every student and family, not a political party. Sadly, some politicians and political organizations insist on inserting themselves into curriculum decisions, undermining educators and distorting history. Our teachers are subject-matter experts who have dedicated years to their craft, and no one is better equipped to educate our children. They deserve the freedom to teach fact-based, science-driven, and historically accurate curricula without outside political pressure. As a school board member, it would be my job to focus on what truly helps students succeed: supporting teachers with fair pay and a voice in decisions, ensuring high-quality instruction for students of all levels, and keeping our schools welcoming to all.
What say should parents have in the curriculum taught to their child?
As a parent, I understand and empathize with the desire to have a say in what my child may or may not be exposed to at school. I also believe students are best served when they are exposed to a wide range of viewpoints, cultures, and experiences. Exposure to diverse perspectives helps them think critically, develop empathy, and grow into well-rounded citizens. For that reason, I strongly oppose efforts to uniformly ban books or remove instructional materials from classrooms. Parents should always have the option to make individual choices for their own children, but those choices should not restrict access for every student. To that end, I believe WJCC schools have an adequate system in place for allowing parents to review course materials and, if they choose, opt their children out of certain aspects of the curriculum. For example, the WJCC website includes nearly 30 different opt-out forms, some in English and some in Spanish, covering everything from Family Life courses to loaning student devices. This system respects families by providing clear options for managing their child’s education.
How do you work with others you don’t agree with?
As a former local journalist, I was oftentimes tasked with interviewing people who held a variety of beliefs on any number of subjects. It was my job to tell their story, and the only way to do so was through respectful dialogue. On the school board, I’ll approach disagreements the same way: start by finding common ground – like our shared commitment to students – listen carefully, and look for practical solutions. We won’t agree on everything, but I believe we can always work toward outcomes that put students first and help move WJCC schools toward a more successful path. At the end of the day, we must remember that school board members, teachers, and parents all want the same thing – for our children to receive the best possible education. And if we keep that common understanding at the forefront of our work, I believe we can collaborate in new, creative ways to put WJCC schools in the best position to give every student a high-quality education.
