What a pleasant surprise to see in the Convention Hall! Wythe County's own Kerry and Glenda Eans are being recognized by the VEA.
Let your Senator know you want ESEA (aka No Child Left Behind) reauthorized with positive changes. Call 866-331-7233 or go to edvotes.org.
Sign up to attend the April 18th Put Kids First Rally.
Free charter bus transportation is provided from WCC at 8am.
There will be a Food Court available at the Convention Center.
There will be music, bouncy houses, and lots of fun.
There will be 2,000 Put Kids First (royal blue) shirts available on a first-come-first-serve.
Bring your family, neighbors, and anyone you know who wants to put kids first.
Upcoming Dates:
June 9 Primary for November elections (all GA seats are up for election)
June 22-24 Southwest Organizing Institute
July 19-21 Local Presidents Retreat
July 22-24 Reggie Smith Organizing School
Nov 4 Election Day (all General Assembly seats are up for election!)
Keynote speaker Rodney Ellis, president North Carolina Association of Educators, warns us to not allow what has happened in NC happen in VA. Anti-Public Education in NC legislators have...
Lifted a cap on the number of vouchers
added $10 million dollars to voucher schools.
Eliminated teacher tenure/continuing contract (contracts can be nonrenewed for any reason with very little notice)
Eliminated salary supplements for masters degrees and other advanced degrees.
Implemented an A-F school rating scale based on test scores.
Eliminated due process for teachers (ALL teachers have no right to appeal or panel hearing)
It's District Bee Day at Convention.
Our own Vic Gravley is the King Bee for his VEA Fund raising!
WCEA has earned Super Star status as a district for raising an average $8 per local member. Approximately $1600 has been raised by WCEA.
VEA recognized Senators Chafin (R), Norment (R), and Howell (D) and Delegates Plum (D) and Miller (R) were recognized for seeking positive legislation for students, schools, and educators - 6% scale raise (got 1.5%) repealing the A-F school grading scale (passed), statewide health insurance plan for educators (passed Senate, but wasn't heard in House).
Highlights of the Floor Debate:
FAILED - VEA Charter Amendment
#1 which would have allow associate membership to anyone outside of professional educators.
PASSED - ByLaw Amendment #3 which only allows those delegates ATTENDING VEA's Delegate Assembly to vote in VEA elections. (This effectively eliminates Cyber-Delegates from voting during convention.)
PASSED - New Business Items that moved VEA support:
continued efforts to fight disclosure of student growth percentiles,
the Put Kids First rally and campaign,
securing optional participation in the state health insurance plan
PASSED - New Business Items that moved VEA seek legislation for:
reducing SpEd and ESL caseloads,
Changing Take Your legislator to Work Day to Legislators Enriching Academics Day (L.E.A.D.)
Reinstating alternative assessment for SpEd students
The Crockett-Eans family was recognized at the VEA Awards Dinner.
Executive Director Phillip Forgit gives his keynote address.
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