State lawmakers plan school finance reform

Richmond, Virginia – Virginia lawmakers seek to change how local school divisions receive funding.
Democrats and Republicans agree that changing Virginia’s school funding model will cost time and money.

A joint subcommittee discussed January General Assembly recommendations Thursday morning.

The first suggestions cost close to $1 billion, so it’s unclear how much lawmakers would authorize and how long it will take to phase in the changes.

Roanoke Dem Del. House Education Committee Chair Sam Rasoul is Vice-Chair of the Joint Subcommittee evaluating the funding system.

“On both sides of the aisle there are people who believe more needs to be done to help our public schools, are finding out we are underfunding our education system by billions of dollars,” Rasoul said in an interview. “So these short-term recommendations that we’re working on can help some local schools.”

Botetourt Republican Del. Terry Austin supports funding formula adjustments, including the cap on support services, but he argues greater education investment must improve student achievement.

“We must do this gradually. We cannot do it all at once, Austin replied. “My concerns are that we put the funds where we need to put them, funding child education.”

Most near-term recommendations would enhance funding for all Virginia school districts, ranging from hundreds to tens of millions.

Austin expects budget negotiators and Governor Youngkin to decide it in the approaching General Assembly session.