School Budget with Step Increase and Class Size Reduction Officially Adopted
The School Board officially adopted next year’s budget at its May 6th meeting. This budget includes a step increase of approximately 3% for teachers and staff as well as class size reductions in 9th grade Math. A matching funds grant for class size reductions also passed by the county board is on the May 20th agenda.
PWFT President Retires From School System, Not the Union
During the last school board meeting PWFT President Bill Hosp confirmed his retirement from Prince William County Schools and clarified that while he is retiring from school he is not retiring from his union duties. Mr. Hosp is 65 and he has taught school for 23 years. Prior to becoming a teacher he was active in politics at the state and local levels, including working as a lobbyist in Richmond.
“The time is coming very soon for some of us in leadership positions to retire but we would like to use the coming year to help prepare a new generation of leaders,” said Hosp. “PWFT has been a positive agent for changes in advocacy styles that show great promise for the future of not only teachers and staff but also for students, parents and the community at large.”
“We look for ways to bring people together for the common good,” he continued.” What went on before was divisive and destructive, so we never want to go back to the way things used to be. The budget fight in 2012 that neutralized teachers’ raises with an extra half hour in the work day was what motivated me to accept this challenge.”
“PWFT wasn’t part of that problem but we played a role in finding solutions. That’s something we can be proud of. This is the first time anyone can remember that a school budget passed without taking a revenue cut. The coalition that supported this came from both political parties in an election year. You don’t see that happening enough in Richmond or Washington.”
Member of the Month
Dr. Suzanne Smith was also among the retirees officially recognized at Hylton High School on April 28th. She has been teaching ESOL at Fitzgerald Elementary School since 2008.
Executive Board Elections
The time has come for PWFT members to elect a new executive board. Members may nominate another member or declare their candidacy by May 29th for electronic voting to begin June 1st and end June 5th. Officers on the board include president, first vice president, 3 assistant vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and 2 paraprofessional representatives for classified staff.
(Please see the attached document if you would like to recommend a fellow member or if you think union leadership might be in your future.)