VEA Statement on the appointment of Dr. Lisa Coons as Superintendent of Public Instruction
March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023
The following is a statement from Dr. James J. Fedderman, President of the Virginia Education Association, on the appointment of Dr. Lisa Coons as Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Virginia is fortunate to have several award-winning school division superintendents who have effectively moved schools in their communities to receive full accreditation. Despite their demonstrated expertise, Gov. Youngkin has, once again, passed on proven talent and instead sought out an outsider to lead our state’s education efforts as Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Considering students nationwide are still striving to overcome interruptions to their education due to the pandemic, one would think that one of Virginia’s superintendents who has already shown an ability to lead meaningful progress, and regardless of political party, would be elevated to Superintendent of Public Instruction. There would be a substantially lower learning curve. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with the governor’s appointment of Tennessee’s Dr. Lisa Coons.
While we look forward to showing Dr. Coons the excellent work Virginia’s public school educators are already doing, we are deeply disappointed that yet another out-of-state official with a political agenda has been promoted over a proven state education leader. Gov. Youngkin just can’t seem to trust Virginia educators, and it shows.
Teacher shortages are a serious issue across the country. Here in Virginia, there are currently over 3,648 unfilled teaching positions. (FY23)
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