CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several speakers at Tuesday's Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education meeting said the district's request for an additional $63 million to help raise teacher pay won't be enough to cover basic living expenses.
The public had its first opportunity to weigh in on the proposed $1.9 billion budget Tuesday night. Superintendent Crystal Hill is asking for $660 million from Mecklenburg County, which is $63 million more than the district got last year.
Hill said the increase is necessary to keep CMS salaries competitive with other districts in the region. If approved, $14 million would go toward raising teacher pay. Under the proposed plan, starting teacher salaries would go up by 4.5%; however, several people say that isn't enough. Others are concerned more money for CMS will mean higher taxes, on top of the $2.5 billion bond referendum that was approved in November.
“North Carolina needs to start paying more and they need to start now," Judy Henion, President of the Classroom Teachers Association of North Carolina, said. "Why should people come to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and be faced with more disruptive classes, and less assistance in the classroom? Why should they come to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools when they can go across the line to Fort Mill or Rock Hill and get paid more?"
"I think they should go back to the drawing board and think this thing over more wisely because, right now, it's not working," Mary Jones said opposing the idea. "It's not working."
Another area of concern is that the proposed budget doesn't have a significant enough pay raise for substitute teachers. Overall, most people who spoke during Tuesday's meeting are in favor of the funding request, even if it means more taxes in the long run.
"Many people are against it for various reasons," one man said. "I know some of the commissioners were against it because of the increases in different taxes. We're in this position where we can directly improve their conditions, so I'm going to support it."
North Carolina is No. 46 nationally for teacher pay and 11th out of 12 states in the Southeast, according to Gov. Roy Cooper's office. Cooper proposed an 18% pay raise for teachers statewide. The General Assembly rejected that proposal and approved a 7% increase.
Contact Richard DeVayne at rdevayne@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.