Hi "T!" I like your post. I have a friend who just moved there,
and she keeps contacts with Roanoke. She mentioned that there
was a school closed there...is that true? Also, aside from the
current economic situation, I heard that Roanoke was hard to get
into. Please clarify. Thanks.

On 10/28/09, T. wrote:
> 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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