Richmond, VA — DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement in response to Governor Youngkin’s bill signing of SB739:

“At a time when our school divisions continue to face the ongoing effects of this pandemic and uncertainty about what lies ahead, we need to empower our local school boards to remain nimble and meet the ever-changing needs of our schools and students. Instead, Governor Youngkin has chosen to strip them of their constitutional responsibilities and tie their hands. All the while, Governor Youngkin is putting forward legislation that would defund our local schools and criminalize teachers for teaching accurate and crucial historical concepts.

“Simply put, Governor Youngkin is putting the opinions of the few far-right over those of the overwhelming majority, and he’s making a name for himself as the Anti-Education Governor.”

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