(HB1830)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1830, which would provide unpaid leave for school division employees to participate in professional organizations.

Ensuring that teachers remain in the classroom, providing high class instruction to Virginia students, is a top priority. The work of professional organizations cannot take precedence over ensuring that teachers remain in the classroom. School districts would be unfairly burdened by the requirements contained in the bill, including providing substitute teachers to replace those taking leave.

The decision to grant leave should ultimately reside with the employer, the local school board, not state government.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.