The proposed Senate budget devotes $1.3 million in new education spending, which includes rebenchmarking.
A significant portion of the Senate's proposed education budget is devoted to a pay raise and a one-time bonus. Specifically, the Senate's proposed budget funds a 4% pay raise for SOQ-funded positions, effective July 1, 2021. To be eligible to receive these state funds, local school divisions must give the raise at some time during the biennium. The proposal also includes a one-time 3.0% bonus for SOQ-funded positions effective December 1, 2020. A local match will be required to receive the state share of this bonus.
Other highlights of the Senate's proposed budget include the following:
- Provides $27.5 million NGF each year to restore the school construction grants program. The grants provide funding to all school divisions to assist with school construction, modernization of classroom equipment, school safety renovations or school security equipment, or debt service payments.
- Provides $39.5 million GF to fund the state’s share of one school counselor for every 300 students in the second year. This represents approximately an additional 200 school counselors above the current level of school counselors employed by school divisions.
- Maintains $81.4 million GF for the expansion of the Virginia Preschool Initiative program, $56.7 million GF to provide additional support for at-risk students and $27.6 million GF to support the state’s share of costs for one instructional position for every 50 limited English proficient students.
More details on the Senate's proposed K-12 budget can be found here.
