#10&10in2020

Why Virginia Educators United’s 10% and 10% pay increase

is the Reasonable and Appropriate Choice for Virginia 

Governor Northam’s proposed 2 year Virginia budget calls for 0 increase for teachers in the first year, and 3% in the second year.  Virginia Educators United, the campaign begun in 2018 to raise funding for public schools, is putting forward a 10% and 10% Demand structured to reach all by making it easier for localities to accept the state funding. 

“Good luck with that, never happen.” Is the reflexive response many people knowledgeable about school funding in Virginia have to that recommendation.  But a look at just the facts, reveals a strong case that #10&10in2020 is the more appropriate number for this budget than either the Governor’s or other proposed lower figures.

First of all, educators in Virginia are $8,000 per year behind national average pay in spite of Virginia being 10 or 12 in wealth (depending on whose figures you use). Two years ago the legislature passed legislation that directed a goal of at least national average salaries for public school employees.  No attempt has been made as yet to start monitoring or scheduling attaining that goal.  It would take a  9% and 9% increase during the next two years to just reach the legislatively directed goal of the national average.

Secondly, for several years the issue of teacher shortages has been widely publicized as a major concern for the commonwealth. The Governor’s budget, which would be the equivalent of a pay cut, is likely to make the shortages far worse, accelerating the growing flood of teachers from Virginia schools, and making it nearly impossible for districts to compete against other states in attracting qualified candidates. The 0% & 3% is also likely to discourage college students from enrolling in education programs which have dropped in enrollment to dangerously low levels already, at least in part because $31K less than your other graduating classmates is too big a hit to take with today’s heavy student loans. With anything less than the national average, the exodus will continue as well because no one wants to work in the lower half of the market. 

The third reason 10%&10% is appropriate is because virtually every elected official in the state’s aspirational campaign message was about supporting education.  To renege on K-12 educators, students, and communities now would expose the Democratic party and individual electeds to accusations of falseness which would undermine looming and future elections by breaking trust with the families of Virginia in a glaring way.  

However, taking the bold move to fully fund the SOQs as recommended by the Board of Education at $2B (which would provide adequate dollars for the 10% increases), would give credence to a grand new vision for the Commonwealth as a point of destination for the best schools in the country. Since educators already achieve rankings that place Virginia near the top (4th in the nation) with their current miserable provisions, it makes sense to take pr advantage and give them some real funds to work with, which would affirm both their achievements and the state’s commitment to high quality schools. 

The fallback argument that there is not enough revenue for #10&10in2020 is seriously embarrassing. Whatever combination the legislature decides on – from distributed Corporate returns to the lowlow 40 year old corporate tax with loopholes that allow 40% of large corporations to pay no tax, to the $500M in revenues that exceed expectations announced in December, to a more progressive income tax structure, to the gaming funds, the potential marijuana funds, and, and, and- there are clearly enough ways to provide for the schools without making anyone too uncomfortable. 

Why would Virginia not be proud to be first in the nation in education instead of 40th in funding, even if it meant dropping to 2^nd or 3^rd in the nation for business? Yet, educators are not asking for top pay in the nation, or even top levels for all school funding. They are only asking for the national average – 25^th- and what the Board of Ed says is needed to make up for prior losses. It is what is needed before the public service disruptors in both parties collapse the school system that contributed so heavily toward making us first in the nation for business.

#10&10in2020 is neither outrageous, nor unattainable.  It is what our educators should be receiving already without having to ask.  

Pass it on #10&10in2020- the sensible and appropriate choice.