Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine unveiled several budget proposals on Tuesday to fund his education initiatives.
The most expensive plan, at $64 million, would give 3 percent pay raises to public school teachers and support staff.
“In today’s knowledge-based economy, we are working to make sure that our young people have every opportunity to succeed across the educational continuum,” Kaine said in a statement.
Other spending proposals unveiled include $4.6 million to expand pre-kindergarten programs, $4.1 million for reading education, $3.9 million to bolster math instruction and $2.9 million to launch a pilot ratings system to help parents gauge early childhood education programs.
“Our budget amendments will enhance remedial reading and math programs for elementary school students,” Kaine said. “We also will establish several pre-kindergarten pilot programs as we continue to work together to strengthen both quality and access to Virginia’s public and private pre-K network.”
Kaine will formally present his budget proposals Friday to the General Assembly’s budget-writing committees.
The legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 10 and wrap up Feb. 24.
