Public School Advocates Want Funding Restored (VA)

January 20, 2011

It’s still early in the General Assembly session, but public school advocacy groups have concerns with the way it’s shaping up for K-12 public education.

Members of the groups, including the Virginia Education Association, Virginia Municipal League, Virginia PTA and Virginia School Boards Association, urged lawmakers to restore funds that were scaled back during the worst of the state’s recent economic troubles.

"All along, our groups have asked our governor and our General Assembly to reinstate funding for K-12 when revenues increase. We are at that point in this recovery," said Kathy Burcher, legislation chair with the Virginia PTA.

Some also took issue with Gov. Bob McDonnell’s second-year attempt at education reform, including giving tax breaks to corporations that give money to nonprofits that in turn dole out scholarships to low-income students for private school tuition, and performance pay for teachers in hard-to-staff schools.

Jeff Bain, president of the Virginia School Boards Association, said he thinks the tax incentive bill has been pursued "to move towards a private education system in this commonwealth."

"It’s another voucher bill, which really harms public education," he said.

McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said it is "unfortunate that some would automatically oppose a bipartisan effort to help disadvantaged students gain access to the best education possible."

Kitty Boitnott, president of the VEA, said her group is focused on the proposed changes to teacher retirement contributions. McDonnell wants state emp loyees, including teachers, to start making a contribution toward their pensions.

The debate over education spending continued on the House floor, where Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, decried what she called a "piling on" for local governments when considering the combined actions — taken and proposed — to reduce aid.