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Superintendent warns LCI shifts and flat state support have cost Powhatan 15 teachers
Summary
Powhatan County Superintendent Beth Teigen told state legislators that modest changes to the Local Composite Index (LCI) and frozen Standards of Quality funding have forced the county to backfill state aid, resulting in 15 teacher and central‑office staff losses and deferred maintenance.
Beth Teigen, Powhatan County superintendent, told a May 14 joint legislative workshop that "even modest LCI increases can significantly reduce state aid," leaving the county to cover the shortfall with local dollars. She said the strain has resulted in the loss of 15 teachers and central office staff, deferred facility maintenance, and reduced programming, and she urged full funding of the Standards of Quality (SOQ).
Teigen said the state's teacher salary calculations and funding mechanics make it difficult for smaller rural divisions that compete with larger, higher‑paying districts. Delegate R. Lee Ware acknowledged the SOQ support cap has not been fully corrected, referenced a JLARC recommendation on LCI timing, and asked staff to provide historical LCI and state funding data for further review. School Board member Vicki Hurt raised a related concern about a VDOE teacher retention bonus that required a local match and left Powhatan unable to participate.
