Virginia Education Association and Supporters Sponsoring March 24 Press Conference to Inform Public About “Put Kids First” campaign

ABINGDON, VA – Members of the Virginia Education Association and supporters are sponsoring a 5 p.m. press conference Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the William N. Neff Center, 255 Stanley St, Abingdon, VA 24210 to inform the public about their “Put Kids First” statewide campaign. The VEA and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) are co-sponsoring the campaign and the first major event will be an April 18 family friendly rally on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond. There will be transportation from Southwest VA to the rally and back.

 “The Virginia Education Association and the Virginia Parent Teacher Association believe that the Commonwealth has no more precious resource than its children. We further believe that the Commonwealth has the capacity and knowledge to truly transform the lives of Virginia's children by ensuring that every single child has access to a high-quality public education, from preschool to graduation,” said Tracey Mercier, a Special Education teacher in the Bristol, Virginia public school district and VEA member.

 The “Put Kids First” campaign is centered on four major goals: Increasing funding for public education; Quality Early Childhood Education; Reducing high stakes and burdensome testing; and Reducing class sizes. 

 Thus far, the Chilhowie Town Council and Smyth County Board of Supervisors, the Lee County School Board, the Wythe County School Board and Board of Supervisors, the Scott County School Board have passed resolutions supporting the “Put Kids First” campaign and the April 18 rally.  

“We can change the conversation in Virginia about what it really means to support students and public schools. The time is ripe to show Virginia that, as our state's economic prospects grow, the needs of our students must come first,” states the PTA (vapta.org).

 Those wanting to travel from Southwest Virginia or for more information, call: 1-877-628-7213 (276-628-7213) or 1-800-242-0645 (276-889-0157). Free bus transportation for VEA members, family and community supporters will be provided by the VEA. Travelers should expect to leave their location by 7 a.m. April 18 and return about midnight that day. Light snacks and water will be provided.