Loudoun County School Board Members Express Concerns Over Transparency in New Teacher Contract

Ashburn, VA – December 8, 2025 – Members of the Loudoun County School Board have voiced frustrations regarding limited access to key details surrounding the recently approved collective bargaining agreement with the Loudoun Education Association (LEA), highlighting issues with union vote management and budget transparency.

During a board discussion, Vice Chair Donahue explained that the school board does not participate in or oversee the LEA’s ratification process. “We are not privy [to] they manage their votes [per] their bylaws who votes,” Donahue stated, emphasizing that the union handles its internal voting independently without board involvement.

Another board member referenced the November 11, 2025, meeting, where an information item on budget impacts was presented. “While we were not [presented] the agreements themselves at that time, there was a comprehensive [presentation that] included some details regarding the price tag over,” the member noted, indicating that full contract documents were not provided at the time, though some financial projections were shared.

The agreement in question, the first of its kind for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), was ratified by LEA members on November 21, 2025, with a 99% approval rate.

It includes 15.5% salary increases for teachers over three years, with a potential total of up to 19.5% depending on certain conditions, at an estimated cost of $188 million to taxpayers.

The school board formally approved the contract during a special meeting on November 24, 2025.

These concerns come amid ongoing debates about accountability in LCPS operations, echoing past controversies in the district over curriculum and parental involvement. Board members stressed the need for greater oversight to ensure fiscal responsibility, though no immediate actions were proposed to address the transparency issues raised.

LCPS officials have not yet responded to requests for additional comment on the vote tallies or expanded budget breakdowns. The agreement is set to take effect in the coming months, with implementation training planned for spring 2026.