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THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2ⁿ place, weekly newspaper of the year — 2018 Pinnacle Awards
PRECINCT PATROL
VOL. 60, NO. 18 JANUARY 30, 2019
See POLICE JURISDICTION on page 2 The Richmond City Council was met with resistance from protestors when it passed an ordinance that will nearly double VCU Police’s jurisdiction. Photo by Erin Edgerton
Marchers demand increased state education funding CHRIS WOOD Contributing Writer HANNAH EASON Contributing Writer The Virginia House of Delegates announced a 5 percent increase in teacher and support staff salaries as attendees of a march and rally outside the Capitol pushed for increased funding in public schools Monday. The marchers, who used the hashtag “Red4Ed” on social media, wore red and chanted as they walked from Monroe Park to Capitol Grounds in the downtown area. The group — comprised of teachers, students and parents — advocated for increased salaries, renovated school buildings and additional staffers. Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingston decried outdated technology, old textbooks and insufficient funding in a speech he gave to the crowd of thousands. “It’s time for legislatures to get on board or get out of the way,” Livingston said. “We’ve reached a point where legislatures need to come up with the money or we’ll replace them.” Livingston said the state needs to re-evaluate its formula for distributing funds to school districts. The increase in teacher and support staff salaries is in addition to the 3 percent increase included in the state budget. Gov. Ralph Northam proposed the additional 2 percent increase, which passed in the House, but still needs Senate approval.
The House of Delegates announced an additional salary increase as protesters marched in Richmond. Photo by Erin Edgerton
NEWS MLK Week 4-6
SPORTS Radio Broadcaster 6
SPECTRUM Winter Ball 11
See EDUCATION RALLY on page 3
OPINIONS Kamala Harris 13