House could increase teacher raises in their version of state budget

Yahoo

21-04-2025

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Senate budget is in the hands of the House and Democrats are hoping for big changes.
'I hope that they actually take a look at teacher pay,' said Democratic Senator Sydney Batch.
Right now, the budget holds a 2.3% raise for teachers. Democrats say that's an insult.
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'It's not significant enough, we know that there are a number of kids that are in classrooms that have substitute teachers,' Senator Batch added.
Right now, teacher starting pay in North Carolina is around $41,000 a year. According to the National Education Association, in South Carolina and Tennessee, the starting pay is over $42,000. That means the 2.3% raise here would equal less than $1,000 a year for some teachers.
Some House Republicans are already anticipating increasing those raises in their version of the budget.
'We want to be able to show the public that we understand that is important in North Carolina to create an environment that attracts and retains the very best teachers,' Republican Representative Erin Pare said. 'I think we'll see probably the significant raise in teacher pay as one of the most signature pieces of the budget.'
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Leaders with the North Carolina Association of Educators have rallied for substantial raises. They say now is the time to act.
'We know that 2.3% average raise is not enough to keep our educators from leaving the profession at a time where we need well-compensated professionals in front of students to ensure their academic success,' Tamika Walker Kelly, President of the NCAE, said.
Senate Democrats also want the House to increase the raises for state employees set in the budget.
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