On January 9, the RCEA led a "Rally for Education" at Northside High School. The purpose of our meeting was to bolster our membership and send our local legislators to Richmond with our message clearly articulated.
The event was attended by approximately 300 RCEA members, central office personnel, parents, and students. We were loud and unwavering as several speakers addressed the crowd. Tammy Wood, President of the RCEA, Chuck Lionberger, Chairman of the Roanoke County Council of PTA's, Superintendent Lorraine Lange, School Board Chairman Mike Stovall, and State Senator John Edwards all spoke to the enthusiastic crowd.
Attendees were encouraged to stay engaged in the political process by joining VEA's cyber-lobby army.
Since the rally, there have been several key developments. Thom Ryder, ex-RCEA president (me) was interviewed by a news organization for a state-wide piece on the impact of negative education support. Ryder recounted facts that Dr. Lange taught the rally participants. Roanoke County supports its schools, but thanks to cuts from the state, we've had to cut $17 million from the education budget and lose 150 positions over the last two years in addition to closing three effective schools. This radio spot played heavily here in the Roanoke area, especially on WFIR.
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And now a personal comment...
Today, news is being distilled from Richmond that our Governor is calling for a merit-pay scheme. Personally, I have no problem with merit pay as long as I get it. But how do you fairly distribute such prizes? Are you going to base it on my homeroom class' test scores? My Math class' scores? My Reading class' scores? Some kind of sort of quasi kind of combination of all of the above?
In some respects, I'd support such schemes IF AND ONLY IF the cost of education, as defined by the Virgina Standards of Quality, is FULLY met. Until then...sorry. Can't support such poppycock. Read more about it here...Oh and remember, please write your governor. Tell him who you are and what you do for our state. Tell him what you think. Tell him where you vote. Tell him what you're going through this year. Tell him your story. You'll feel better. While you're at it, tell your story to your local state legislators (Senator Edwards, Delegate Ware, Delegate Cleaveland, Senator Smith). Let them know what it's like to be a teacher today!
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