VEA Applauds Gov. Northam’s Teacher Salary Budget Proposal
December 6, 2021
December 6, 2021
The following statement can be attributed to Dr. James J. Fedderman, President of the Virginia Education Association:
“We appreciate Governor Northam’s ongoing support for public education in the Commonwealth and thoughtful approach to his budget for this biennium. We share many of the Governor’s funding priorities, specifically his proposal to raise teacher pay by 10% over the biennium to attract and retain the best and brightest educators that our students deserve.
Governor Northam recognized that Virginia educators have worked harder and longer to assure students had access to a continuing education during this pandemic, and his proposals for salary increases are affordable, strategic, long overdue, and well-deserved. We hope the General Assembly will show the same appreciation. We look forward to working with the House and Senate in their budget negotiations to ensure public education receives the necessary investments to serve our students and our communities. “
According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers in Virginia earn 67 cents on the dollar compared to other (non-teacher) college-educated workers. Virginia’s teacher wage penalty is the worst in the nation.
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