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Β RALEIGH, NC – Money for public education was front and center as North Carolina legislators returned Β to Raleigh Wednesday.
Hundreds of teachers from across the state stepped out of the classroom and into a political fight for higher pay.
More than a hundred public educators, including CMS teacher Marybeth Kubinski, lined the walls of the House and Senate chambers during the opening session Wedensday afternoon.
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“The money is there; it’s all about priorities,” said Kubinski.
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North Carolina teacher pay ranks 46th in the nation. Garinger High School teacher James Ford, who is also North Carolina teacher of the year, says many educators can’t make a living wage.Β
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“With the level of education most of us have, we should be rewarded; we should be comfortable. We shouldn’t be scrambling to make ends meet or qualifying for public assistance. That’s unacceptable,”said Ford. Β
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Fourth grade teacher Justin Ashley, who ranked first in the state for social studies, says he is considering leaving CMS for higher pay over the state line.
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“We live in Waxhaw which is just South of Charlotte, and we can drive to a school in South Carolina and automatically get seven thousand dollars more,” said Ashley.
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Educators also want less standardized testing for students, smaller class sizes and more nurses and counselors at each school.
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Governor Pat McCrory addressed some of their concerns in his budget proposal at a press conference Wednesday.
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βEnsure that no state-funded teacher in North Carolina will make less than $35,000 over the next two years. In addition, an average of two percent raise,” said McCrory.Β
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“If you look at two percent, it’s really only $2.70 a day. You can’t even buy a gallon of milk for that,” said Kubinski. Β
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McCrory is also proposing raises for teaches who earn advanced degrees in the subjects they teach.
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“We’re not asking them to break the bank, but we also shouldn’t be working for dirt cheap either,” said Ford.Β
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McCrory is expected to present his proposed budget with the teacher pay increases to the General Assembly Thursday.
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