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VEA On Your Side

VEA and local Associations across the state work on behalf of Virginia students and educators. Pardon us if we brag a little. A sampling of some of our recent successes.

Preserving Retirement Benefits for Current Educators a Huge Win. In the midst of the state's worst budget crisis in generations, lawmakers during the General Assembly took aim at the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Lawmakers cut retirement benefits for new hires, but VEA activism helped derail a plan authorizing local school divisions to begin reducing the take-home pay or current employees by up to five percent to cover payments to VRS.

King George ESPs Solve Problems, Win Respect. Bus drivers in King George recently developed a process to bring employee issues to the attention of managers--and to ensure that appropriate action is taken. As a result, they've won respect and doubled the number of bus driver members.

Fairfax Backs Beginners with BUS Program. Launching a teaching career can be stressful and isolating, but the Fairfax Education Association (FEA) is making it a little easier for teachers in the Beginners United for Success (BUS) program.

Hundreds Urge Lawmakers to Reverse Steep School Cuts. Chants of "we're not going to take it" rang through Capitol Square as hundreds of VEA members, parents, and others urged Gov. Bob McDonnell and state lawmakers to reverse their steep cuts to K-12 education funding.

Passing On a Love of Reading. A middle school boys reading club founded by Prince William Education Association member Bruce Smith is showing that a love for books can be passed on from student to student.

Stafford Steps Toward Equitable Pay. Hard work by the Stafford Education Association SEA) to fix inequities in the pay system paid off as the school board Tuesday agreed to a rare mid-year step increase.

Shenandoah County EA Weighs in on RIF Policy. The Shenandoah County Education Association (SCEA) is making sure members' voices are heard through its influence on the school division's RIF policy, says SCEA President Stephanie Payne.

Prince William EA Weighs In on Pay Plan. Teacher turnover is often higher at schools serving large proportions of students who live below the poverty line, speak English as a second language, or who have been identified as disabled. Will a system of bonuses for teachers working in such schools increase teacher retention and help raise student achievement?

Isle of Wight EA Challenges Outsourcing. When the Isle of Wight schools closed their doors for the summer break, some 40 custodians were among the ranks of school system employees, earning decent wages and benefits for the challenging work they do. After a closed-door school board vote June 25, though, none of them works for the school system any longer.

Spotsylvania EA Backs Bus Drivers on Physicals. Some 50 bus drivers went before the school board to challenge a new policy that requires them to get their annual physical from a school division employee.

Brunswick Members Help Reverse Pay Cut. The Brunswick Education Association (BEA) confirmed recently that getting active and speaking up can pay dividends.

Danville EA Wins RIF Challenge.  The economy is bad enough, but Danville teachers this year also had to contend with a proposal that would have severely weakened their job security. Find out how the Danville Education Association helped ensure a sensible policy on layoffs.

Progress on Budget, Victories on Planning Time, Grievance Rights.  Despite the economic turbulence, VEA members helped secure a highly successful session at the state Capitol. Among the victories: guaranteed planning time for teachers and a new grievance procedures for support professionals. (Member login required.)

Boitnott Urges State Board Not to Shortchange Schools.  Appearing before the state Board of Education, VEA President Kitty Boitnott urged board members to reject budget changes that would shortchange schools.

VEA Member-Lobbyists Flood Capitol.  More than 300 VEA members carry the message, 'No Permanent Cuts' to school funding. Check out our Lobby Day story, photos, and video.

Mathews Advocates Oppose Budget Cuts in Visit to General Assembly.  With the blessing of their superintendent and school board, two bus loads of Mathews County teachers, school support professionals, parents, grandparents, and students lobbied their representatives in the General Assembly for school funding on January 26.

Fairfax ESPs: A Vital Part of the Team.  Throughout a day-long Education Support Professional (ESP) workshop held Monday by the Fairfax Education Association, one point was underscored again and again. ESPs serve a vital role in public education, deserving of respect, job rights, and fair pay and benefits.

Culpeper Teaches March Against Pay Snub.   After the county approved no raises for teachers--but a hike in their health insurance premiums--members of the Culpeper County Education Association went on the march. (Pictured at left: CCEA President Joyce Tyree leads march to August school board meeting.)

Extreme Makeover, NEA-Style.    NEA members from across the country teamed up with Arlington Education Association members as part of the Association's annual "Outreach to Teach" effort. Check out the fruits of their labor at Arlington's Wakefield H.S. At right: SVEA president Sarah Danielsen paints in the school media center.

Stafford Teachers Take a Stand.  Stafford Education Association members work to the rule--and take their case directly to the county Board of Supervisors.

Prince George Campaign Wins Pay Boost, New Members. The Prince George Education Association’s hard work led to a recent agreement for teacher raises averaging 8.74 percent. Find out how they did it. (Pictured at right: PGEA President Rick Barnes talks to a member at a reception.)

Association Helps Elect Pro-Public School Candidates. When public schools don’t get the political support they need, everyone suffers. Read about the Association’s successful work to elect leaders who will make a difference for kids.

Louisa Outreach Spares Education Funds. When the Louisa County Board of Supervisors tried to knock $718,000 out of the school budget, the Louisa County Education Association (LCEA) stepped up to the plate. (Pictured at left: Louisa Education Association members rally outside the board offices.)