VB Teachers get possible layoff letters

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - 640 Virginia Beach teachers received letters Thursday officially letting them know their jobs are on the line.

The teachers will have to wait until April to find out whether or not their contracts will be renewed. Teachers in their first, second and third year on the job got the letter.  

Eric Apelis is a ninth grade biology teacher at Kellam High School.  

"I mean a letter like that is always concerning," Apelis said.

Apelis has been in this boat twice before, but has made it through each time thanks, in part, to the work of the Virginia Beach Education Association and it's President Dominic Melito.

"Over the past three years, funding for education has gone down $85 million and we're looking at another $40 million deficit this year.  Unless the state steps up or city council or both we're going to have significant cuts this year, this is no joke," Melito said.

Superintendent Dr. James Merrill said there will be increases to classroom size .

Apelis told WAVY.com he already teaches 26 students on average.

"Regardless of how many kids are in my room, it's really up to the teacher to control the classroom and get across to them," Apelis added.

Merrill will present his budget to the school board in two weeks. In the meantime, VBEA's president says every parent should demand more.

"Everyone needs to contact delegates and senators and insist on more money for public education," Melito urged.

Melito shared the following information via email:

"There will be a pre-written e-mail to the General Assembly asking for increased funding for public education in Virginia available on the veanea.org website by early next week. The letter can be edited and the person need only provide their name and address, and the e-mail will automatically go to the person's delegate and/or senator. People can also keep track of education bills in the General Assembly also by going to veadailyreports.com ."

Virginia Beach Public Schools currently has 209 fewer teachers than last year.