By Cara Beth Lewis
With all of the challenges, obstacles, new programs, and changes that have occurred in the previous year-and-a-half, many teachers desire a raise to compensate for the extra workload due to circumstances. After all, teachers serve an important role in our communities and in the lives of students.
On November 18th, 2021, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed a biennium budget into law. In a statement, he said, “This budget moves North Carolina forward in important ways. Funding for high-speed internet, our universities and community colleges, clean air and drinking water, and desperately needed pay increases for teachers and state employees are all critical for our state to emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever. I will continue to fight for progress where this budget falls short but believe that, on balance, it is an important step in the right direction.”
The budget has frequently been referred to as “historic” because according to various sources, North Carolina has never invested an amount of money as significant as this into education and teacher pay. The budget is predicted to increase spending by more than four percent over the next two fiscal years.
According to NCDPI’s website, teacher raises have not yet occurred. Upon discovering this at BladenOnline this morning, we referred our questions on the matter to Bladen County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson, who provided answers. The latest information that he has regarding teacher salary schedules differs from what is listed on NCDPI’s website, as it appears the website has not been updated.
Dr. Atkinson told BladenOnline, “The new pay scales are supposed to go into effect in January. Teachers (and all other employees) will be moved to the new pay scale in their January 31 paycheck, and will receive retroactive pay from July 1 – December 31 as a one-time bonus, which is the difference between their actual pay received and where they would be on the new pay scale. To receive the retroactive pay, employees must be employed through December 31, 2021.”
Here is what the News Observer shared regarding the matter in November:
TEACHER RAISES: Public school teachers would receive an average of 5% raises over the next two years. That breaks down as a 1.3% increase per year, plus step increases that are given for longevity, for an average raise of 2.5% per year. Teachers in 95 of the state’s 100 counties could receive even higher raises due to a $100 million fund in the budget. Those 95 are described as “low wealth” by Republican budget writers and in need of state supplemental funding for raises. The five that are not included are the urban counties of Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Guilford and Buncombe.
STATE EMPLOYEES: Most state employees would receive 5% raises, with 2.5% raises each of the next two years.
NON-CERTIFIED K-12 SCHOOL PERSONNEL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE STAFF: Non-certified public school employees, which includes cafeteria workers and custodians, as well as community college staff would make a minimum of $15 per hour after two years. This is for full-time, permanent employees.
PRINCIPALS: The salary schedule for principals would be raised by 2.5% over two years.
RETIREES: Retired state employees would not get raises, but they would get 5% cost-of-living adjustment bonuses over two years. That breaks down to 2% this fiscal year and another 3% the following year.
For specific details on finances for Bladen County Schools, visit North Carolina School Finances – Bladen.
About Author
