Virginia – “Because we’re not making the grade. We’re failing our educators and our students.”
Dr. James Federman, president of the Virginia Education Association, speaks of a harsh reality.
Education has become a top priority as the Virginia General Assembly looks to finalize its budget.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed a record $24 billion for public education, but it's still not enough, Fetterman told 10 News.
“We're certainly in a good position by being paid at or above the national average, but we end up having the same conversation every year. We missed the mark,” Federman said.
The House and Senate amendments would earmark nearly $1.6 billion more for education than Yonkin's proposal.
What Democratic Congressman Sam RaSoul is saying is important.
“We are really thinking about how to support our most vulnerable students,” Rasoul said.
Republican Delegate Chris Obenshain said the funding specifically addresses early childhood education needs.
“We will increase the number of slots available for the Virginia Preschool Initiative,” Obenshain said.
We spoke with Montgomery County School Board Chair Linwood Hudson to find out how the increased funding will actually impact the school system.
“If you have teachers coming and going a lot because you can't retain them, that affects everyone. We don't want to lose them to other counties or other states, but that I see it,” Hudson said.
Budget negotiations are still ongoing and will require approval from both the House and Senate and Governor Yonkin before the school system can award the money.
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