Committee splits on technical fix to continuing-contract due-process language; bill reported 5-2

Delegate brought forward House Bill 1915, which the sponsor characterized as a quasi-technical fix to clarify that continuing-contract teachers retain due-process protections when a school division seeks not to continue a contract between school years. The sponsor said the change is intended to ensure veteran teachers are afforded grievance procedures rather than a simple written notice during the off-school-year window.

Catherine Lee, general counsel for the Virginia Education Association, explained the bill would align the statutory text with existing dismissal procedures in other code sections and would not impede a school division’s authority to dismiss teachers for cause. She said the provision is meant to avoid a reading of current statutory language that could permit termination without grievance rights between school years.

The Virginia Department of Education's deputy (Jeremy Raley, identifying himself as a career educator and chief of staff at the Department of Education) and a superintendent/central-office official testified with concerns that the change could constrain superintendents’ and school boards’ flexibility to make personnel decisions in the best interest of their divisions. Veteran teachers and supporters said continuing contract status affects recruitment and retention. After discussion the subcommittee voted to report HB 1915; the clerk recorded the vote 5 to 2.

What’s next: HB 1915 was reported 5-2 with committee members divided over whether the change is a narrow technical clarification or a policy-shifting modification to school-division personnel authority.