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Bill

SB 284

Teachers; timeline and process for increasing salaries to at least national average.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird

Virginia mandates creating a timeline to raise all teacher salaries to the national average, advancing through legislature with significant fiscal implications requiring appropriations committee approval.

Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 284

Legislative bill overview

SB 284 mandates that Virginia establish a timeline and process to increase teacher salaries to match or exceed the national average. The bill was introduced by Senator Lashrecse Aird and has advanced through the Education and Health Committee with a substitute version, currently under review by the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Why is this important

Teacher compensation directly affects recruitment, retention, and education quality. Virginia's teachers currently earn below the national average, which contributes to workforce shortages and brain drain to higher-paying states. This bill addresses a widespread concern among educators and parents about competitive compensation.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal burden: Raising all Virginia teacher salaries to national average levels requires substantial state budget appropriations; the fiscal impact statement indicates significant costs that may compete with other budget priorities
  • Implementation timeline: Defining realistic timelines and phasing could affect how quickly raises are implemented and whether all salary levels increase uniformly or progressively
  • Funding source: Unclear whether funds come from general revenue, education-specific budgets, or new revenue measures, which affects overall tax and spending debates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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