I support equal access for teachers and employees of school divisions. Stop the monopoly. If one education association is given access to schools/employees, then all should be allowed. SB1236 will promote competition and equal access for education associations.

Currently, many school divisions across Virginia promote policies that favor the NEA (the national teacher's union) and its subsidiaries. For example, in Virginia Beach a policy was created by the School Board that excluded a new education association that had been formed in the City. This new association's members included teachers and employees of VBCPS but also allowed parents and students to be members. Since the association allowed students and parents, VBCPS policy prohibited the organization from having the same access to our schools as the VBEA (a subsidiary of the NEA). 3 VB Board members are also active members of the VBEA and fought to have the policy changed to disqualify other associations from having access.

NEA affiliates have access to teacher mailboxes, new employee orientations, positions on committees, and more.

No school division should be forced to allow these organizations in their schools; however, if one organization is allowed then all should be allowed. School Boards should not be able to pick favorites in order to align with their political agendas.