RICHMOND, Va., April 13 -- The Virginia Education Association issued the following news release:
Virginia Education Association President Dr. Kitty Boitnott released the following statement upon Governor McDonnell's announcement that he will recommend to the General Assembly that the state budget be amended to disallow requiring current school employees to contribute up to five percent of their pay for retirement.
"We thank Governor McDonnell for reaching out to VEA and for developing a good working relationship with our staff and leaders since his election. We commend him for his role in moving the budget conferees closer to the Senate position on funding PreK-12 education.
"We communicated to the Governor the fact that the conference report on the budget includes language (Item 469 #2c) giving school boards and localities the option of requiring current employees to pay a portion of the 5% employee retirement contribution. It allows them to elect any whole % up to 5%.
"This provision in the budget singles out local government employees and does not affect state employees. Current state employees will not be required to make this payment.
"School board employees in many localities are facing pay cuts, soaring health insurance costs and increased responsibilities. Like state employees, many school board employees have not seen raises in years.
"We asked that the Governor endeavor to treat school board employees in an equitable manner in this regard. We asked him to consider eliminating this provision as he offers his amendments to the budget bill at the upcoming reconvened session.
"Almost 1,000 VEA members wrote to the Governor in this topic as well.
"The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and other organizations joined in our effort. We are thankful to them and to the Governor.
"The Governor listened and responded in a very positive manner. We thank him."
For More Information, contact Dr. Boitnott (804-775-8303) or Rob Jones (804-873-8329)
TNS mv45 100426-2764174 61MarlynVitin
