Gov. Northam Seeks To Raise Teacher Pay By 10 Percent Over Next 2 Years

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam plans to propose a two-year state budget next week that includes a 10 percent pay raise for teachers, the governor announced Monday.

Virginia has already increased teacher salaries more than 10 percent under Northam. This latest raise, if approved, would push Virginia’s teacher pay above the national average.

“Paying teachers is the right thing to do, and a wise investment,” Northam said in a statement. “Virginia has invested in teachers in a big way over these past four years, and now it’s time to do much more. Our country has asked teachers to carry a heavy load, especially during the pandemic. They have delivered, and they deserve to be rewarded.”

Northam's proposed budget for the two years beginning July 1, 2022, is subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly, where Republicans now control the House of Delegates while Democrats retain control of the Senate, as well as changes by Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, who will be inaugurated in mid-January.

Northam’s proposal will increase compensation 5 percent a year in each of the next two budget years, for a cumulative increase of 10.25 percent. When matched by local funds, the increase will push compensation for the typical Virginia teacher above the national average.

Pay raises for teachers are an “important tool in recruiting and retaining talented teachers. It matters in normal times, and it’s critical today,” said Fran Bradford, Virginia’s new Secretary of Education.

Virginia also is helping students by hiring more counselors. School counselors are now responsible for 325 students on average, down from as many as 500.