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Virginia Beach, VA – August 22, 2025 – A firestorm is brewing in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) as over 100 employees have filed a lawsuit against Superintendent Donald R. Robertson Jr., alleging he deliberately concealed meaningful increases to health insurance premiums until after they signed their annual contracts. The School Board has announced a special meeting this Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the school governance building to address the escalating crisis.
The announcement, released late Friday, signals a potential turning point in a dispute that has rapidly galvanized teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other school personnel. The meeting’s stated purpose is to discuss “health insurance premiums, employee healthcare costs, and potential future steps.”
Lawsuit Alleges Deliberate Concealment
the lawsuit,filed Wednesday in Virginia Beach Circuit Court,paints a picture of financial deception. According to the complaint, the district’s 10,000+ employees were not informed about the impending premium hikes until an August 7th email from the Virginia Beach Consolidated Benefits Office.
The increases are considerable. Employees face premium jumps ranging from $2.04 to $210.97 per pay period,depending on their chosen plan. Retirees are facing even steeper increases, potentially exceeding $445.25 per month.
If the Board approves enough funding so that premiums only increase at a nominal, inflation-level rate, then our lawsuit will end. That is the only acceptable outcome.
These increases effectively negate the 3% raise employees received this year, according to Tim Anderson, the attorney representing the plaintiffs. The lawsuit doesn’t attribute the increases to typical healthcare cost inflation, but rather to Superintendent Robertson’s decision to discontinue a $19 million subsidy that had been in place for the past two years.
The most damning allegation is that Robertson was aware of the potential for doubled premiums as early as March, yet withheld this information during contract negotiations to avoid a mass exodus
of staff. This claim suggests a calculated effort to bind employees to contracts under false pretenses.
A superintendent Inheriting Challenges
Donald R. Robertson Jr. assumed the role of acting superintendent in June 2023, following the departure of Aaron Spence to Loudon County schools. He was officially appointed to the position in January 2024. This situation presents a significant early challenge for the new superintendent, raising questions about transparency and trust within the district.
Rally Planned to Amplify Employee Voices
Attorney Anderson has rallied his clients, expressing gratitude for the School Board’s response while emphasizing the need for continued pressure. In an email to his clients, he stated, “They’ve (board members) located some money – but we don’t yet know how much, which means we must keep the pressure on.”
To that end, a rally is planned for 1 p.m. this Sunday at the intersection of Virginia Beach and Independence boulevards. The goal is to demonstrate community support for the employees and underscore the urgency of the situation.
| Employee Group | Potential Premium Increase (Per Pay Period) | Potential Monthly Increase (Retirees) |
|---|---|---|
| VBCPS Employees | $2.04 – $210.97 | N/A |
| VBCPS Retirees | N/A | Up to $445.25 |
Anderson’s message to his clients was clear: “We need to show the community that VBCPS employees stand united until this is fixed in full. Each of you stepped up when it mattered most, and together we forced this issue to the forefront. You are the reason this solution is even on the table.”
This case raises critical questions about the ethical obligations of school administrators and the importance of clear interaction with employees. The outcome of Wednesday’s School Board meeting, and the ongoing lawsuit, will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the VBCPS community.
Original Publication Date: August 22,2025
Reported by: Jane Harper,The Virginian-Pilot (jane.harper@pilotonline.com)
