RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia Education Association hosted a rally Monday at the State Capitol to call on lawmakers to increase state funding for public education.
Teachers, administrators and school board members from around the state attended the “Fund Our Future” rally at the Bell Tower on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Local educators including Virginia Beach School Board member Trenace Riggs represented Hampton Roads on Capitol grounds.
She says an increase in teacher salary is a priority at the local level.
"I’ve already said I’m not voting for any more new programs until we give our teachers a 5% raise," Riggs said.
Another teacher News 3 talked to Anthony Waldo, who teaches at Seatack Elementary in Virginia Beach. He says he attended to make sure all students in Virginia get a quality education.
“Ensure that each student across the state of Virginia is given the same benefit across the state across the board," he adds.
The VEA is a union of more than 40,000 teachers and school support professionals.
Speakers at the rally included VEA President Jim Livingston, Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Kinzer, Fairfax County School Board member Abrar Omeish and several teachers.
Related: Local teachers shine a light on lack of funding ahead of next week's rally at the Capitol
