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Frederick County school leaders press lawmakers for larger COCA pay adjustment to retain teachers
Summary
School division officials told legislators a larger cost-of-competing (COCA) pay adjustment is essential to retain teachers lost to higher-paying Northern Virginia districts; officials said Frederick currently receives 25% of the COCA adjustment (about $1.8 million) and asked the General Assembly to fund the remaining 75% (about $5.5 million).
Frederick County Public Schools officials urged state lawmakers on Oct. 16 to increase the county’s share of the state’s cost-of-competing adjustment, saying current pay gaps are driving teachers across the region.
During the Legislative Summit, Missus Anderson said Frederick receives 25% of the COCA adjustment, about $1,800,000, and that gaining the remaining 75% would translate to roughly $5,500,000 “We could do great things with that for our teachers and our students,” she said.
Superintendent Doctor Ummer and other division leaders described steady losses of staff to nearby jurisdictions with higher pay. “We battle with Loudoun every single day,” Doctor Ummer said, noting teachers can earn “30 and $40,000 more a year to do the same exact job just right over the mountain in Loudoun County.” Officials said the pay and retirement differences are large enough that retention is a continuing problem for Frederick County.
Speakers and some legislators discussed the history of the adjustment and possible coalition-building with neighboring rural jurisdictions. One presenter traced the COCA adjustment to the National Capital Region’s original allowance when the region needed a competitive salary adjustment to retain staff against Washington, D.C.-area employers.
Division officials asked legislators to consider formula changes or direct funding at the 2026 General Assembly so the district can narrow the pay and benefits gap that officials say contributes to turnover. Officials emphasized the ask was intended to be practical: use the packet of redlined policy language the division brought to accelerate legislative drafting and to support any JLARC or formula review that is still pending.
The summit did not produce a bill vote; officials framed the session as a briefing and partnership request, and they said they will follow up with legislators and with staff in the Department of Education on the precise legislative language and timing.
