Teachers across Virginia wear black in protest of proposed laws, cut in Richmond

Teachers across Virginia made a statement through Fashion Friday. 

Educators in public schools across the Commonwealth dressed in black.  Frustrated by proposed laws and cuts in Richmond, the Virginia Education Association designated today as "Black Friday."

The VEA said its teachers are in mourning because of the open disrespect and disdain being shown Virginia’s public school teachers by members of this general assembly and the governor.

From her shoes to her shirt to her eyeliner third grade stonewall elementary school teacher Brittany Harris dressed in Black Friday.

"We hope that standing together wearing our black will show that we do support what we do, we love what we do, and that we want that to continue,” said Harris.

The school's classrooms, hallways and cafeteria looked somber all day.

The reason? Teachers say they're protesting.

"The money is not being invested in public education," said Tracey Mercier, Bristol Va. Education Association Co-President said.  "We need to make sure that our legislators make public education a priority, you can't keep having the best when you don't invest in it.  The past two years I think we've had to cut six percent of our employees.  Virginia used to be third in small class size, we are now 41st and that's just a sad state of affairs."

Now, they say things are only getting worse.

Teachers are concerned about two proposed laws they say one would reduce the state's contribution to their retirement fund.

"Teachers will be applying to Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina,” said Mercier.

The other would eliminate continuing contracts for Virginia educators.

"It would be every three years when your contract comes up for renewal you could be let go regardless of your evaluations of your performance,” said Mercier.

Harris just got her start in the business three years ago.  She used to play school as a child, and now she wants to ensure she'll be able to fulfill that dream as an adult.

"I just want to make sure that my job is based on my performance and not just because they want to get rid of me for no reason at all,” said Harris.

Teachers say so far, Southwest Virginia’s delegates have been supportive of their cause.  A delegate outside of our region chimed in on his face book page about "Black Friday."

Dickie Bell, a republican from the 20th district posted a message to teachers there.

“So the VEA thinks grade school antics like this will gain teachers the respect they deserve … really,” said Bell.  “How much instructional time will be lost explaining to students why you played ‘dress-up’. Behavior like this does not enhance your professionalism or bring you the kind of positive attention you seek from the general public. This speaks loudly of the VEA leadership.”

Governor Bob McDonnell’s office commented as well.

“The VEA accusations that the governor's budget reduces funding for K-12 education are incorrect,” said McDonnell’s press secretary Jeff Caldwell in an email. “The governor's proposed K-12 ‘Opportunity to Learn’ education program and budget for this biennium includes nearly $500 million in NEW, additional K-12 funding over the next biennium, not funding cuts for education…The governor's proposed education agenda and budget will recognize Virginia's great teachers for their success; provide teachers and administrators with benchmarking and performance measures; and, most importantly, yield better results for our students. Providing a world-class education for our students-and doing all we can to ensure this happens-should be the shared goal of all educators and policy makers.”