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Virginia

Roanoke delegate on teachers: ‘We cannot continue to deny them fair wages’

Crystal Graham
sam rasoul roanoke
Sam Rasoul

The 2023 General Assembly legislative session gets under way Jan. 11 in Virginia, and a bill has been introduced to pay public school teachers a wage that is at least equal to the current national average.

House Bill 1566 was introduced by Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) today asking for investments in Virginia’s education system.

The wage would also apply to Standards of Quality-funded positions.

“Teachers are working hard to help raise the next generation of Virginians,” said Rasoul. “We cannot continue to deny them fair wages for their hard work and dedication to our children.”

A broad coalition have endorsed the bill including the Virginia Education Association, the Virginia Public Education Coalition, the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools of Virginia and Fund Our Schools Coalition.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.