He has not yet done so. Since then we have talked to 118 of our 132 local association presidents. They tell me of potential budget scenarios in their localities that preclude any real statewide advance in quality education and any substantive relief for teacher salaries, which continue to deteriorate compared to salaries in other states. Make no mistake. Salaries are an important factor in attracting quality teachers as the teacher shortage moves insidiously into Virginia school divisions.
Salaries are also a factor in retaining quality, experienced teachers with excellent evaluations.
Too many of these are leaving too early. Too many good, new teachers are making the classroom a temporary stop on their ways to higher salaries elsewhere. Another equally important factor is the diminishing teacher time for instruction in the classroom. Time out for increased testing, time out to complete additional paperwork and the time demands of new student populations are combining to frustrate teachers to a degree I've not seen before in my 30 years in the classroom. Since day one, he has issued three budget proposals.