PW delegate pushes for restoration of school staff funding

Delegate David Ramadan (R – 87th House District) has filed a 2013 Session Budget Amendment request to restore $32.5 million in funding for Northern Virginia school divisions for FY 2014. Approximately $11 million of the request would go to Prince William County Public Schools, and $6 million would go to Loudoun County Schools, according to his office.

Delegate Ramadan was quoted as saying, “I am concerned with the proposed plan to eliminate the Cost of Competing Adjustment which helps fund the support staff in the Loudoun and Prince William public schools.” He noted that school support staff includes security officers. “Now is not the time to be cutting money from the budget for these key staff members,” the delegate stated.

According to the delegate’s news release, Governor McDonnell has proposed eliminating the Cost of Competing Adjustment (COCA) for support positions and staff in 18 Northern Virginia school divisions, including Prince William and Loudoun, part of which Del. Ramadan represents.