NC Budget Boosts Teacher Pay, Expands Voucher Program
TL/DR –
The $30 billion North Carolina state budget has passed, including minimum raises for teachers and increased funding for private school vouchers. The Opportunity Scholarship program, or private school vouchers, has tripled in funding and ends income restrictions for any family receiving a discount to attend private school. State employees, including teachers and non-certified staff, are allotted a 7% raise over two years, with school bus drivers earning an additional 2%.
New North Carolina State Budget Provides Raises for Teachers and Increased Funding for Private School Vouchers
The $30 billion North Carolina state budget, approved by a final 26-17 senate vote on the morning of Sept. 22, includes minimum raises for teachers and an increase in funding for private school vouchers.
Details of the New Budget
Uploaded to the General Assembly’s website on Sept. 20, the 625-page document was voted on by the House the following day, providing lawmakers with less than 24 hours to review it. Despite the rushed timeline, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that he would allow the budget to become law without his signature. The budget brings significant changes to education, including the Opportunity Scholarship program and teacher salaries.
The Opportunity Scholarship Program
The Opportunity Scholarship program, also referred to as private school vouchers, will see the funding tripled as per the new budget. The income restrictions for families applying for a discount to attend a private school will also be removed, with the changes set to take effect in the 2024-25 school year. This will result in state-funded stipends for families that choose to send their children to private schools.
Impact on Teacher Salaries
State employees are set to receive a 7% raise spread over two years, with teachers and non-certified staff, such as cafeteria workers and bus drivers, included. School bus drivers will receive an extra 2% raise on top of the general increment, adding up to a total of 9% raise over two years. The budget also outlines a salary schedule based on teacher experience.
According to the 2023-24 teacher salary schedule, a beginning teacher will start at $3,900 a month, with veteran teachers of 25 years or more experience earning $5,510. The budget is met with criticism, as some believe the raises do not keep pace with inflation.
Allocation for Buncombe County Schools
On June 20, the Buncombe County commissioners adopted a 1 cent property tax increase, with the majority of the increase dedicated to education. Commissioners expressed hopes that the property tax increase would allow flexibility for state and teacher salary increases after the state announces its budget. The county recommended $90.3 million for Buncombe County Schools (BCS) at the meeting on June 20.
Early Childhood Education
Advocates requested that the General Assembly continue the stabilization grant funding provided to early childhood programs during the pandemic. However, the state legislature could only extend $100 million, effectively extending the grants for another six months. This extended budget comes from funds leftover from the American Rescue Plan Act. Critics argue that this isn’t enough, and could negatively impact early childhood education in the state.
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