I serve as Assistant Head of School at Hampton Roads International Montessori School, a nonprofit program serving children ages 16 months through 8th grade. Our school currently serves approximately 250 students and employs 50 staff members.

I strongly support the fast-track repeal of the fee requirements outlined in 8VAC20-830. Background checks are essential to maintaining child safety. However, financial barriers tied to required background checks create unnecessary strain on early childhood programs.

In our program, background check fees apply not only to new hires but also to substitute teachers and to required updates for current staff. With ongoing staffing needs, these costs recur frequently and accumulate across the organization. Like many providers, we operate within a tight nonprofit budget. Funds directed toward background check fees are funds that cannot be invested in staff compensation, classroom materials, or program improvements.

The early childhood workforce is already under significant pressure, and reducing administrative hiring costs is a practical step toward supporting workforce stability. Hiring costs directly affect classroom capacity. Removing these fees helps programs onboard staff more efficiently, maintain appropriate ratios, and continue serving families reliably.

This change is particularly meaningful for smaller and nonprofit programs operating on narrow margins. Small operational changes have meaningful system impact, and removing barriers to hiring supports access for families across the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your time and for your continued efforts to streamline regulations in response to provider feedback. I strongly endorse the use of the fast-track process for this repeal.

Maria Burke
Assistant Head of School
HRI Montessori