NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Public school teachers in Virginia are getting a raise. The state budget signed by Gov. Glen Youngkin Monday included a 3% raise for teachers and state employees in the next two fiscal years.
Laquetta Mackey, president of the Norfolk Federation of Teachers, said no one will complain about getting more money but, “the 3% isn’t enough because teachers are still struggling. I mean people have two jobs, and that is ridiculous.”
Those representing teachers in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and at the state level
agree.
“I think it’s a good attempt,” said Virginia Education Association President James Fedderman. “I think it’s a step in the right direction to try to get educators to the national average.”
Virginia teachers make about $6,000 below the national average, and in some localities, it’s even greater than that.
This year, the gap will widen.
Virginia’s average teacher pay is estimated to be $65,058, putting the Commonwealth’s teachers $6,641 below the estimated national average of $71,699.
“And to not be compensated your worth, it makes being disrespected a whole lot easier to walk away from from a profession that you once loved,” Fedderman said.
In order for the General Assembly to reach its goal of getting Virginia teacher pay up to the national average by 2027-2028, teachers would need an increase of at least 14% in the next budget cycle.
“We didn’t go into this profession to be rich but we deserve to live comfortably,” Mackey said.
Virginia Beach Education Association President Kathleen Slinde told WAVY that “there are definitely challenges ahead, and educators will be considering them when they vote in November.”
Fedderman added that while the state is giving 3%, localities are expected to match the funds.
“And that is a hardship on a lot of our localities,” he said.
Norfolk teachers are actually getting a bigger bump in their paychecks.
The Norfolk School Board approved raises that will total 8% on average for teachers. This will bring their salaries more in line with other area educators.
Virginia Beach gave its teachers an early raise of 2% in January. They will get 1.5% percent more, according to a city leader.
Teacher raises should go into effect in July.