September 26, 2025

Happy Friday, and hello Autumn!  

Over the summer, Arlington Public Schools (APS) communicated with AEA about anticipated increases in health care costs due to changes in federal legislation. As part of this process, APS explored the possibility of offering additional network plan options as a potential cost-saving measure. Together, APS and AEA discussed that efforts to minimize rate increases could also bring disruptions to existing services and providers.

After careful consideration, AEA supported maintaining the current plan structure. A key factor in this decision was the shared understanding that members could face two significant changes within a two-year period—the 2026 rate adjustment followed by a potential new provider beginning January 1, 2027. Both AEA and APS recognized that multiple changes in a short timeframe could affect the quality and continuity of care. AEA emphasized the importance of providing stability for members during this time.

As a reminder, AEA will be directly engaged in the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Two AEA representatives—one representing support staff and one representing licensed staff—will serve as voting members of the Selection Advisory Committee (SAC). Additionally, APS will be expanding opportunities for employees to learn how to maximize their current benefits and resources.

AEA remains committed to advocating for our members, keeping you informed, and supporting you through these changes to ensure that your health care coverage remains stable, reliable, and of high quality.

I'm repeating some information from last week, in case you missed it:

HVAC (and facility) ISSUES:

This week marks the last days of summer, and the return of autumn, which likely means the return of HVAC issues. What should you do when the heat (or AC) isn't working?  The first step is to contact your administrator and make sure they are aware. If they are, please ask them what the plan is for fixing the problem. They should be able to provide a detailed maintenance plan.  

Please refer to Article 17 in the Licensed Agreement and Article 16 in the Support Staff Agreement. You may ask to be relocated in the building, if possible. We are happy to help problem solve, but please understand that this office cannot rearrange maintenance schedules, nor can we make needed parts arrive sooner.

*October 13 for Instructional Assistants:  IAs are expected to work that day and will have professional learning options to choose from. We are awaiting clarification about whether or not one has to be in the building.

Our Office Manager Vi is still out and will likely be out next week as well. We thank all of you who have called or emailed the office for your patience. Please be sure someone is at the office prior to your visit.

Contract Violations and Grievances

If you believe that the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) have been violated (for either Licensed or Support Staff), the first thing you should do is contact your building representative (if your building doesn't have a rep, please email admin@aeava.org with your questions and concerns. You should also contact your administrator or supervisor with a screenshot of the specific article in question. Document everything!  Please don't wait until the end of the school year to notify your rep or the AEA office about violations. It us up to ALL of us to enforce the CBA.  

Grievance procedures are outlined at the end of both CBA and can be found here:  Labor Relations.

Our next Contract information session for Support Staff will be October 22 at Central Library from 6:30-7:30. This is a great opportunity to learn about the current contract and provide feedback/ideas for the next contract.

We will host a session for Licensed staff in the near future--stay tuned!

Employee Conflict

We recognize that at times, there will be conflict between employees. And sometimes, both will be members. Should this arise, please contact Employee Relations:  HR - Employee Relations - Home

Healthcare--Take Action

On Nov. 1, Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces in most states will begin to open for enrollment for the coming year.

Unless Congress acts, more than 90% of people enrolled in ACA health care plans will see their out-of-pocket premiums jump by more than 75% on average. And millions could lose coverage altogether when a key tax credit drops at the end of the year.

Rising costs for Affordable Care Act health care plans ultimately will result in higher health care costs for everyone—including those who get their health insurance through their jobs. The last thing families need is even higher health care bills at a time when we’re also dealing with the rising costs of food, housing, electricity, gas and other essentials.

Congress must act immediately. Please make a call to tell your senators and representative to stop the health care price spike NOW! Call 855-493-4407.

Across the country, headlines are warning of double-digit increases in health care costs. But national Republican leaders refuse to acknowledge that they must address this tidal wave of rising health insurance prices.

President Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are refusing to commit to preserving these tax credits for working people. They control every branch of government—and they need to fix this crisis.

We cannot stand by as the leaders who control Congress spike health care costs so high that millions will lose their insurance. Make a call here.

Thank you for taking action today.

APS Opportunities

Survey—School Board Advisory Committee Working Group: Last school year, the School Board appointed a Working Group to evaluate the current School Board advisory committee structure and make recommendations for revision to better support the goals of the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan. The Working Group developed a proposal and is seeking input. Please TAKE THIS SURVEY to gather feedback through October 15.

• Learn more about the proposal, process, and additional feedback opportunities, including participating in a focus group.

• Any proposed changes to School Board advisory groups would take effect in the 2026-27 school year.

Join Us for the AI in APS Virtual Community Town Hall on October 8

As part of our Year of Empowered AI Learning in APS, we are excited to invite you to a virtual Community Town Hall on Artificial Intelligence on Wed, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

• At this session, you can learn more about our adopted instructional platform, SchoolAI, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Learn more.

• Spanish interpretation is available. If you need interpretation in Mongolian, Amharic or Arabic, please contact rosa.ewell@apsva.us by Fri, Oct. 3.

• If you have questions that you would like to have addressed during the live event, please add them here: Community Pre-event Questions for APS AI Town Hall

Add the event to your calendar today!

NEWS FROM VEA

VEA Board Member Pushes for Delay of Changing Standards

On Thursday, VEA Board member Alynn Parham, an AP African American Studies teacher and Williamsburg/James City County Education Association member, urged the State Board of Education to pause on drastic cut score changes until real impact modeling is done. VEA does not support changes that would negatively impact students and graduation rates. We need stability, transparency, and trust in the system - not "moving the goalposts mid-game,” as Alynn put it to the Board. Ultimately, the Board voted for incremental implementation over the next four years, pending a final vote next month. Thanks for speaking up, Alynn!

Communique Changing Publication Schedule

Beginning October 1st the Communique will be hitting your inboxes every other week, rather than weekly. But don’t worry, we’ll still keep you informed during the off weeks with updates from VEA's Department of Government Relations and Research as well as our newly formed Department of Equity, Justice and Learning. Stay tuned for more details!

SHARE! Read Across America 2025-26 Digital Calendar

In the excitement of the new school year, you may have missed that the latest list of recommended children’s and young adult books for NEA’s Read Across America is available! Featured in the 2025-2026 Read Across America digital calendar, these 36 books for readers in preschool through high school are paired with paired with title-specific activities, discussion questions, and recommendations of even more themed titles to try.  

Join VEA at Virginia Pride this Weekend!

VEA’s Government Relations and Research Department is hosting a table at this year’s VA PrideFest and we’d love to see you there! The VEA table will provide information to promote the Virginia Voter Guide and distribute “All Are Safe in VA” stickers and information sheets on the benefits of belonging to the VEA. VA PrideFest will be held at The Bon Secours Training Center in Scott’s Addition, Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. You can find more information about the event below.

Learn More Here

Sign Up Now for VEA’s EPIC Event!

The October 10th deadline to register for our 2025 Education Professionals in Collaboration (EPIC) Conference will be here before you know it, so don’t hesitate to register today! We have an exciting program planned for EPIC, and I hope you will be part of making it truly special! Open to members and non-members, we’ll have interactive sessions that build a collective resilience, advance cultural competency through meaningful dialogue and create a truly inclusive educational environment! We will also hear from award-winning bestselling writer and executive producer George M. Johnson, author of the young adult memoir “All Boys Aren’t Blue.” See you there!

Learn More HereRegister Here

Make Your Early Voting Plans Now!

Early voting has started and carries through Saturday November 1st, so make sure you have a plan to make your voice heard! Who we elect into office has an enormous impact on issues such as classroom size, teacher pay, education policy, overall school funding, and so much more. For more information on voting, including creating an individualized voter guide and checking your registration status, visit The Virginia Voter Guide by clicking below.

Virginia Voter Guide

We need YOU to be Part of VEA’s Next Budget Process

We’ve created a budget survey open to all members, and we need your input for the upcoming budget to be as efficient and effective as possible. VEA’s annual budget creates guidelines for much of our union’s work, and the heart of those priorities is you! The Budget Committee, led by VEA Vice President Dr. Jessica Jones, looks forward to hearing your thoughts, which you can offer by clicking the button below.

Take the Budget Survey

Volunteer with MOCA at Richmond Festival

Members of VEA’s Members of Color Alliance (MOCA) will be at Richmond’s 2nd Street Festival next month to raise awareness about education issues and to encourage voters to cast their ballots in the November elections. All are welcome, and MOCA members are encouraged to wear their MOCA t-shirts. We’ll be at the Lily Black restaurant on Saturday, October 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we’d love to have you join us—use the form below to let us know you’re coming!

RSVP Here

VBEA Hosting a Weekend of Action!

VBEA members, along with other partners, are hosting a Virginia Beach Weekend of Action on Friday October 3rd and Saturday October 4th. Come take part in this exciting opportunity to help VBEA with its election turnout plan and build our union strength! Friday will kick off with a happy hour to network with candidates, other members and our partners with the COVA Coalition, followed up with a rally Saturday morning with Senator Mark Warner and other statewide and House of Delegate Candidates, tabling and canvassing. If you can’t make it there is an opportunity to phone bank, text bank or send a postcard! RSVP at the link below!