GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2053. School counselors are tremendous assets to students across the Commonwealth of Virginia. These professionals not only deliver services related to academic and career planning but also provide valuable social, emotional, and mental health supports that benefit student safety and well-being.

The General Assembly passed two bills to improve the staffing ratios of school counselors to students: House Bill 2053 and Senate Bill 1406. While both bills were introduced in the same form, they were amended to include different staffing ratios in the Standards of Quality. The ratios passed in Senate Bill 1406—which I signed on March 25, 2019—will require more school counselors for students and is a greater step towards the staffing ratios recommended by the Virginia Board of Education.

I want to thank Delegate Delores L. McQuinn for her dedication to Virginia’s students and for her tireless work on this initiative. Delegate McQuinn agrees that we must further improve the staffing ratios of school counselors to ensure that our schools are effectively supporting the needs of our students.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION

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Effective with the 2020-2021 school year, in elementary schools, one hour per day per 75 students, one full-time at 375 students, one hour per day additional time per 75 students or major fraction thereof; in middle schools, one period per 65 students, one full-time at 325 students, one additional period per 65 students or major fraction thereof; in high schools, one period per 60 students, one full-time at 300 students, one additional period per 60 students or major fraction thereof.

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