Richmond Education Association

02/04/2026

Don't miss your chance to ask the School Board directly about your questions on the proposed budget. Submit your questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft2nEnJBO3t6uK3idXwxqHBWgR_zBkRoMVTvT2HfhhfdHOsw/viewform

02/01/2026

Which budget cut most concerns you? Be sure to share your thoughts. Email your school board rep and city council member and then sign up to speak during public comment Tuesday, Feb 3. Email [email protected] by noon Tuesday to be added to the list!

02/01/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

REA RESPONSE TO JASON KAMRAS’ PROPOSED RPS BUDGET
January 28th, 2026
Media Contact
Annie Stetz, Organizing Specialist, VEA, [email protected], 804-340-9695

The Richmond Education Association is deeply disappointed in the FY27 Budget that RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras presented on Thursday, January 22nd. Superintendent Kamras is proposing drastic budget cuts that will deeply harm every corner of the RPS community. We understand that Richmond Public Schools- and all of Virginia's public schools- do not receive the funding they deserve from the state. We also understand that due to a property tax freeze, the city budget is somewhat strained this year. However, the fact remains that RPS will be receiving an increase in funding this year from both levels of government, and overall underfunding concerns do not excuse budget mismanagement. We know that Virginia Code § 22.1-92 requires superintendents to propose a needs-based budget that fully encapsulates the NEEDS of a school division. Jason Kamras did not propose a budget that meets this legal requirement. By preemptively cutting worker contracts and eliminating positions, Superintendent Kamras is undercutting RPS
staff and the RPS community.

While other school divisions with collectively bargained contracts are returning to the bargaining table to renegotiate contracts due to budgeting shortfalls, the Richmond School Board recently amended its collective bargaining resolution to ensure educators would NOT have a voice in the funding decisions that will affect their wages, benefits, and working conditions. Even with the raises that the union fought so hard for, Richmond educators are already paid well below the national average. For some RPS staff, the pay increases meant that they could go from having 4 jobs to just 2. We anticipate that RPS will likely have difficulty retaining and attracting workers given the funding cuts. We believe that all students deserve a high-quality education from licensed, experienced, and respected educators. That sentiment is not matched in this budget.

These cuts include, but are not limited to:
• Increasing healthcare costs for staff members by over 50%, including cutting vision
insurance;
• Laying off 48 full-time staff positions;
• Reducing mental health and wraparound services for students by 30%
• Eliminating all raises unionized workers won in collectively bargained contracts.

REA has significant concerns about the way the budget is written and the lack of transparency in the way the funds are spent by RPS administration. To that end, we are demanding that RPS be audited by the Virginia Department of Education and Richmond City, so we can all get a clear and transparent understanding of the way funds are spent in RPS.

A budget is a document that reflects an administration’s priorities, and we are ashamed and disappointed in the priorities that are presented in this budget. RPS’s motto is “to Lead with Love," and that love seems to have been forgotten by the administration when creating this budget.

01/30/2026

****UPDATE**** The All-Member Meeting will be virtual. Members, check your email for a link.
Don't sit out! Join your colleagues for an All-Member meeting on February 2 at 5pm. We need your voice!

01/28/2026

It's not too late to sign up! Connect with members from all over Virginia to advocate got our students. Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/vea/event/851111/

01/27/2026

REA Members! We have a lot of important dates coming up and we need YOU to make your voices heard. Check your latest REA emails from President, Andrea Bryant, to share your important feedback on the superintendent's budget proposal.

-Feb 2, 5pm at Lucille Brown Middle: All Member Meeting
-Feb 3, 6pm at City Hall: School Board Meeting and Budget Public Hearing
-Feb 9, 6pm at River City Middle: Budget Town Hall
-Feb 16, all day at the State Capitol: VEA Lobby Day. Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/vea/event/851111/

01/08/2026

🚨Join REA and RPS on Sunday from 5:30-6:30 to remind Virginia legislators to Fund Our Schools! Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EACA628ABFDCF8-61398532-fund #/

11/10/2025

Stand in solidarity with RPS workers at a rally prior to the School Board meeting on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 at 5pm at the 9th Street Entrance to City Hall to call on the School Board to VOTE NO on the proposed changes to the Collective Bargaining Resolution.

After the Board voted to delay implementing the changes last month, we hoped for a more collaborative process. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. Workers need protection now more than ever. Join us and make your voice heard!

Teamsters Local 322

10/24/2025

This is a great opportunity to show solidarity with other workers organizing in RVA! Check comments for more info.!!

10/21/2025

10/12/2025

Check your mailbox for the October issue of NEA Today! What stood out to you?

10/11/2025

https://m.richmondfreepress.com/news/2025/oct/09/school-board-stalls-vote-on-bargaining-changes/

Richmond Public Schools’ historic collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged for now after the Richmond School Board voted 6-3 Tuesday to defer a decision on proposed changes.