CHANGE MY LOCATION
Superintendents push for $943M education budget
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Superintendents from Virginia’s school systems pushed lawmakers Tuesday to approve the $943 million education budget proposed by Gov. Tim Kaine.
The schools need to fund the cost of providing the required “standards of quality” as mandated in Virginia’s constitution, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents said.
Fully funding the standards of quality would cost $1.3 billion, according to the association.
“We demand higher qualifications and expect greater results from our teachers than ever before, but sadly our state has not been willing to provide adequate compensation to encourage teachers to enter or remain in the profession,” said Donald Ford, association president and superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
The state constitution requires the state to fund 55 percent of required standards of quality programs, although the state pays 43 percent. If the state reduces its financial support, initiatives such as 14 “at-risk” programs, costing the state $680.3 million, may be cut.
Another major concern is teachers’ salaries, which pay $6,000 less than the national average, Ford said. Kaine proposed a 3.5 percent increase in teacher salaries. But the superintendents hope lawmakers “go beyond that request,” Ford said.
