Meet & Greet Jonathan McGrady

Who: All Wythe County School Employees
When: October 17, 2013, 3:30-5:30 (drop-in)
Where: Ann Laing's home (280 S. 1st Street - behind St. Paul UMC)

Why: Meet someone who cares about public education, has teachers in his family, has kids in public schools, and is a local farmer and attorney.

Hosted by: Ann Laing & Frances Watson, retired WCPS teachers

Refreshments and beverages available!

Become involved in decisions made by politicians about your classroom and work environment. He wants to hear from us, how he can change policies and laws, and what we need - this is your chance!

Jonathan McGrady for VA House of Delegates, 6th District

A response by President of VEA, Meg Gruber:

Statement by VEA President Meg Gruber

For a number of years, the salaries of Virginia teachers have lagged below the national average. Unfortunately, that’s still the case.

 

The National Education Association collects salary information directly from each state education department annually. In 2012, the national average teacher salary was $55,418. The average salary for Virginia teachers was $48,703. Virginia teachers trail the national average by $6,715.  The Commonwealth ranks 30^th among states in average teacher salary. See the full report (attached, Table C-11) for details.

 

We are working to find out why the Bureau of Labor Statistics data differ so much from the established annual reports compiled by the NEA and used by numerous sources, including the influential Congressional Quarterly. One difference between the BLS report and previous salary reports is that the BLS report includes non-Virginia jurisdictions in suburban Maryland in its calculations of the “Washington-Arlington-Alexandria” region. (Incidentally, that region was the only region of 10 in Virginia that exceeded the national average by a significant margin in the BLS report on teacher salary.)

 

Virginia teachers deserve fair pay, and that’s why it so important to make sure accurate information is available to guide the public and policymakers.

How VEA is keeping the future bright for Virginia education.......

http://www.goodforvirginia.org/

Reminder:

WCEA meeting is tomorrow, September 17th at 4:15 in room 235 at Spiller.

 

 

Update from School Board Meeting on September 12th.

 

•  I, Stephanie James, thanked the board for funding support. I commended the board for NOT cutting funding for instructional supplies and for supporting technology. I asked the board for leniency as  the new online lesson plans are implemented. I highlighted the positive aspects of the lesson plans, but also informed the board of the amount of time it was taking to make them. I asked for additional time and more technological training and support.
• Dr. Brannon reported that, according to VEA report, Wythe County supports funding 60% above Required Local Effort.
• Dr. Brannon read a resolution written by the Virginia Association for School Superintendents. This resolution  strongly opposes certain aspects of Virginia's Standardized testing and accountability. School Board members were asked to review it to see if any changes were suggested before passing it.
• Dr. Poole did a capital improvement update. Construction at Sheffey and RRMS is progressing. The Community gym at Sheffey will break ground in the next couple of days, their open-area classrooms are closed and the 2nd grade classrooms are next. At RRMS, the crews are working on updating the electrical and will be finishing the 6th grade wing and the office suite soon.
• The Board approved the goals and objectives for 2013-14 school year that Dr. Brannon proposed.
• The board approved policy changes to student fees, fines and charges.
• Dr. Brannon read a Thank you note from the Board of Education. They had a wonderful visit to RRES and were very complimentary of school, staff and students.

 

The next School Board Meeting is October 10th at 6:00pm at the School Board Office. Please make plans to attend.



Reminder:

 

 

Tomorrow night (Thursday, September 12th at 6:00pm) the Wythe County School Board will meet at the School Board Office. All employees are encouraged to attend. You can find the agenda on Wythe County Public Schools website   boarddocs.com/vsba/wythe/Board.nsf

 

 

 

Topics on the Agenda that may interest you:

 

*  Wythe County School Board Goals and Objectives will be shared. 

*  Dr. Poole will present an update on Capital Improvement.

*  Dr. Brannon will give a First Reading of VASS High Stakes Testing Resolution.

*  Dr. Brannon will also present the VEA report on required local effort.

*  Dr. Melinda Robinett will present policy for Student fees, fines, and charges.

 

 

We hope to see you there!

Welcome Back

 Check out these photos from the Back-to-School County Wide Convocation. Thanks to all the people who stopped by the WCEA table to see us and put your name in for the drawings. We were excited to give away a KindleFireHD, iPod Nano, Happy Nails $35 gift card, teacher supply basket, a Sheetz giftcard, and a table full of teacher goodies! A special thanks to members - Delores Craig, Joey Russell, and Annie Zorn who joined our WCEA officers at the table to meet and greet folks. Best wishes in overcoming your Goliaths this year!

More info on our great speaker, Dave Weber. http://daveweber.com/

Gubernatorial Education Platforms

Interesting article on the platforms of the gubernatorial candidates.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/cuccinellis-k-12-education-plan-would-let-virginia-parents-take-over-failing-schools/2013/08/13/213cfcb8-03cd-11e3-a07f-49ddc7417125_story.html