VEA Speaks Out on House, Senate Budgets
September 25, 2020
September 25, 2020
September 25, 2020
Contact: John O’Neil, VEA Communications, at 804-775-8316
Today, both the House and Senate money committees announced their budgets. VEA President James J. Fedderman made the following statement:
School divisions that serve more than a million Virginia public school students are facing perilous times, and we thank the House and Senate for ensuring our schools do not lose out on $95 million in much-needed support as a result of sales tax revenue changes. The House also should be commended for including language in its budget that will hold school divisions harmless for temporary student enrollment losses.
VEA members sent more than 1,000 emails and made numerous calls to legislators during the special session asking legislators to make sure students’ needs are not casualties of the global pandemic. We will continue to press Senators to make sure that hold harmless language is included in the final state budget.
During the regular legislative session, before COVID-19 began its assault on Virginia, legislators passed a forward-looking budget with $490 million in desperately needed new funding for our public schools. Governor Northam was forced to “unallot” those funds, and we call on members of the General Assembly to reinvest in our students at the earliest opportunity. Our students and staff deserve no less.
The average pay of Virginia public school teachers in 2023-24 was $65,830. That is $4,260 below the national average of $70,090.
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