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Happy Friday! Last week was packed with Teacher Appreciation events--thanks to all of you who stopped by to say hello! This week we had our monthly Delegate Assembly meeting, a visit to Montessori, Collective Bargaining negotiations for Support Staff, planning for Licensed Staff (see survey news below), and a visit to Richmond to witness the signing of HB1437. HB1437 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS. This bill was a direct result of a New Business Item put forth at last year's VEA-RA. Together we can make a difference!
Licensed Bargaining Survey
The Licensed Bargaining planning team has created an opportunity for feedback as they prepare to negotiate their next contract. This survey will be shared multiple times and is open to all members of the licensed bargaining unit. The planning team will review the first round of comments at the end of June. We may open the survey for comments again in the summer and/or early fall, but it is VERY important that you provide your feedback as soon as possible.
At first glance, the survey does appear to be very long. Please note that you do not have to complete all sections. You can also return to the survey if you have additional feedback. We recommend that you have a copy of the Licensed Unit CBA nearby if you wish to comment on specific articles. (Please email admin@aeava.org if you would like a hard copy).
Please find the link to the survey here: https://forms.veanea.net/view.php?id=1547366
If you haven't seen one of the flyers below in your staff lounge, let us know!
AEA Election Results:
Now that our elections are over, I'm happy to share the following results with you: Ms. Belinda Folb will be the new AEA Vice-President!
Winning by acclamation:
Dani Jones, President
Neil de Bruyn, Treasurer
Erika Ryan, Secretary
John Ashley, MS Representative
District H: June Prakash and Shaniqua Williams
All terms are for two years and will start on August 1, 2026. Congratulations to all!
There is still time to nominate yourself for a Building Representative position--please email admin@aeava.org to nominate or for more information.
Congratulations AEA Members!
In case you missed it in the APS Friday Five: Educator Selected for Prestigious National Geographic Fellowship |
Two APS educators have been selected as 2026 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows through the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions.
Geraldine Maskelony of Arlington Tech will embark on an expedition to the Mediterranean as part of the prestigious professional learning program.
Following this expedition, Ms. Maskelony will complete a two-year fellowship with National Geographic that includes supporting education initiatives and leading student-centered impact projects in their school communities.
APS congratulates Geraldine on this incredible achievement and recognition of her commitment to inspiring curiosity, exploration and meaningful learning experiences for students.
Music Educator Named National QuarterfinalistGunston Middle School music educator Jesse G. Williams Jr. has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2027 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum.
Congratulations, Jesse! |
Call for Proposals
We are excited to share that Virginia Education Association (VEA) will host its annual Summit on Educators of Color on November 6-7, 2026. The Summit location will be determined and announced soon.
Call for Proposals:
We invite you to showcase your knowledge and experience as a presenter at the Virginia Education Association's annual Summit on Educators of Color, a transformative event centered on the theme Be Empowered: Claim Your S.E.A.T. at the Table. This year, the Summit calls us to step fully into our voice, our leadership, and our agency. And when the table does not yet exist, or does not yet reflect us, part of our work is to bring our own table, make room for others, and build the spaces our students and our profession deserve.The purpose of the annual VEA Summit on Educators of Color is to foster a collaborative, supportive environment that empowers everyone in school communities to work together to advance racial and social justice in our schools.
Our Summit recognizes that every member of the school community is an educator. Teachers, counselors, school psychologists, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodians, IT professionals, paraprofessionals, and every role in between shape the experience of students of color, and every role belongs at this table. The Summit is for every member of the educational community who understands how essential it is for our young people to see themselves reflected in the adults guiding their learning journey.
For more details, to learn more about the categories we are requesting, and to submit a proposal, please use this link, 2026EOCProposals. The deadline to submit your proposal is Sunday, June 14, 2026.
We value your expertise and look forward to your contributions in shaping the future of education and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the pursuit of justice and excellence.
Policies for Public Comment
Number | Policy Title and link to Draft Policy | Anticipated SB Action | Comment Period Opens | Comment Period Closes | Policy questionnaires |
F-1 | Aug 2026 | May 13, 2026 | Jun 12, 2026 | ||
F-5.7 | Aug 2026 | May 13, 2026 | Jun 12, 2026 | ||
G-1.8 | Aug 2026 | May 13, 2026 | Jun 12, 2026 |
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NEWS FROM VEA
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The latest updates from VEA's Department of Government Relations & ResearchSpanberger Vetoes Collective Bargaining BillsGovernor Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation this week that would have guaranteed collective bargaining rights for the state’s public workers, a decision profoundly disappointing not only to VEA members, but to the hundreds of thousands of public employees in Virginia who have spent years organizing, advocating, and fighting for a meaningful voice in workplace decisions. This legislation got further than any similar effort in recent history because of the persistence of VEA members and our labor coalition partners. And, while this veto is a major setback, it does not erase the extraordinary movement workers have built together or the momentum that now exists across Virginia. VEA President Carol Bauer released a message to members Thursday evening addressing the governor’s decision and reaffirming VEA’s commitment to continuing the fight for collective bargaining rights. VEA will host an all-member call Monday to discuss next steps and answer member questions. We remain committed to ensuring school employees have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their work, their students, and their professions. RSVP for the All-Member Meeting Here Budget Remains UnresolvedSignificant disagreements over long-term revenue needs and funding key education priorities mean that Virginia still does not have a finalized state budget. Much of the debate continues to center around Virginia’s data center tax exemption, which now results in billions of dollars annually in lost state and local funds. The delay has real implications for local governments and school divisions, many of which are trying to finalize their own budgets without knowing what level of state support they can expect. Last week, VEA hosted a virtual briefing, along with Good Jobs First and The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, to help members better understand what these debates could mean for education funding in Virginia. Some links to the briefing:
VEA-Initiated Bills Become LawLegislators did pass into law 13 VEA-initiated bills, covering educator voice, employee protections, instructional resources, workforce issues, and student support. They include new protections for ESPs, clarifications to continuing contract law for teachers, stronger workplace due-process protections, improved access to SOL-aligned instructional materials, enhanced educator workforce data collection, and a comprehensive review of alternative licensure pathways. One of those bills (HB1437, Dougherty), grew out of a 2025 New Business Item by VEA members June Prakash and Danielle Jones. This legislation expands existing state vacancy reporting requirements to include the number of employee exits, disaggregated by race, along with the reasons for each exit, including whether the separation was voluntary or involuntary. The goal is to provide policymakers, school divisions, and the public with greater transparency about workforce trends and retention challenges in Virginia schools. Prakash attended the bill signing, along with Chesterfield Education Association President Rob Hammel, and Kimberly Mason, a Hopewell resident and school nurse in Petersburg, reflecting the member-driven advocacy that helped move this from an educators’ idea to a law. Reminder: State-Funded Bonuses to Be Implemented LocallyThe state budget includes money for a one-time bonus averaging $1,500 per state-funded instructional and support position (see our factsheet). However, how that bonus is paid will vary among divisions, which had to decide by May 1 whether to participate in the bonus program and receive state funding. Divisions now have discretion over how bonus funds are distributed. Because the state funds only a portion of actual staffing levels and requires a local funding match this year, implementation may look different across Virginia school divisions. Watch for information from your division regarding the timing, amount, and structure of any bonus payments. You can also continue engaging with school board members and division leadership to encourage transparency and clear communication throughout the process. Update on NBCT AwardsFor the past two years, the state has sent NBCT incentive awards to classroom teachers first, with awards for non-teacher NBCTs and reimbursements for candidates distributed later in the spring. This approach was adopted after eligibility for the program expanded without additional funding, and a decision by the Board of Education to prioritize classroom teacher awards first. While that has unfortunately meant a longer wait for some members, the good news is that VDOE expects funds to be distributed to school divisions on or before May 29. Once divisions get the money, eligible members should receive payments or reimbursements shortly thereafter. Calls and Conferences: Mark Your CalendarsThis week’s veto reinforces how important it is for educators and public employees to speak up. If we stay silent, politicians will assume they can ignore us without consequence. But when VEA members show up together, we send a powerful message that public school employees are organized and engaged. In the weeks and months ahead, VEA members will have opportunities to connect, organize, and prepare for the work still to come.
Join us Monday evening to discuss the Governor’s veto, answer your questions, and outline next steps in the fight for bargaining rights. Register here.
VEA’s annual Leadership Conference for local presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and ESP directors serving during the 2026-27 membership year will also be held at The Westin Richmond, ahead of our Summer Organizing Institute. Register here.
You can register now for VEA’s Summer Organizing Institute, also at The Westin Richmond. Open to any VEA member, the institute focuses on strengthening member engagement, developing local leadership, and continuing to build educator and worker power. Registration closes June 8.
Save the date now for VEA Lobby Day at the General Assembly. If you’re frustrated, disappointed, or angry, channel it into action. Sign up now and share this information with your coworkers. Let’s make this VEA’s largest Lobby Day turnout ever! |