T.

Posted on 10/28/09

I am a SPEd Teacher in Roanoke County - big difference from
Roanoke City. But perhaps I can answer a few of your
questions. Va. is a Commonwealth - ie no unions. We do have
the VEA and in particular the RCEA in Roanoke Co. And REA in
the city. We are a teachers organization with all the trickle
down rights as in the NEA/VEA - and a local Uniserv Director
to help mediate issues/situations. We pay into the VRS (Va
retirement System) and into SS. We are not an "at will state"
usually - but times are really tough and we are currently
under a RIF policy (reduction in force) and I guess it could
translate to "at will" for new hires. We do have tenure after
3 years experience w/in a school district and 5yrs for the
VRS program. Ideally experienced teachers are more expensive
than new hires - but experience pays off. We had over 100
teachers to retire last year, as we have an aging teacher
population, but there were few new hires due to the RIF and
economic hiring freeze. So to answer your question - you can
certainly apply for a SPED job in either the county or the
city - but you may have better luck in the city. Our budget
is DIRE for next year and there will be serious cuts made -
"everything is on the table" to quote our superintendant (
who by the way has been very transparent w/the RCEA and the
teachers! Thank you Dr. Lange!)
I hope this helps.
On 10/27/09, Refugee from Tx wrote:
> I figure this is the quickest place to get answers. Are
> there teachers' unions in Va? I mean real unions not
> groups. (In the state I am now in they are illegal.) Do
> teachers pay into SS? Is Va an "at will" state? (meaning
> you can be fired "for any reason or no reason.") Is there
> any such thing as tenure or job security? When you have 15
> years experience do you get fired for being to far up the
> pay scale?
> What is the teaching job situation like in Roanoke-
> especially for SPED teachers?
>
> Any info appreciated.

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