LCPS Staff Elects LEA as Official Union to Bargain First Contract

The week of Dec. 2, participating Loudoun County Public Schools staff members voted to select the Loudoun Education Association as their official bargaining agent. With certification of the election results expected to be officially completed by the Labor Relations Neutral in the coming weeks, this decision paves the way for LEA to represent more than 10,000 dedicated LCPS employees, including education support professionals and licensed staff, in negotiating their first collective bargaining agreements.

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence, Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Boland, and LEA President Kris Countryman issued statements about the election. “Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this step reflects our shared commitment to fostering an environment where every team member feels supported, valued, and empowered to contribute their best to our students and community,” said Dr. Spence.

Lisa Boland said, “This step is a key part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen LCPS as an employer of choice. We look forward to working with LEA to develop agreements that support our employees, enhance their workplace experience, and ensure the continued success of our students.”

“This is a significant win for Loudoun County Public Schools,” said Kris Countryman, President of the Loudoun Education Association. “This will not only help us attract and retain quality teachers and support staff, but it will ultimately benefit our students and strengthen the school division.”

The election results showed overwhelming support for union representation, with LEA receiving 90.61% of the votes from voters in the Non-Certified Bargaining Unit and 95.95% of the votes from voters in the Certified Bargaining unit. These groups represent a diverse range of employees, including bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, instructional assistants, teachers, counselors, and nurses.

Negotiations are anticipated to begin early in the new year, with both LCPS and LEA committed to
working diligently to establish fair and meaningful agreements.