CMS Teachers Are Demanding Mecklenburg County Commissioners Approve Pay Raises

CHARLOTTE, NC.–  Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers are demanding Mecklenburg county commissioners approve raises for them! Dozens of teachers showed up at a public hearing Monday demanding commissioners fully fund the school district’s budget request.

Dozens of people packed the Government Center as the commissioners listened to more than 65 speakers. Some teachers are disappointed by the state budget that raises teacher salaries for an average teacher 6.5%. That’s why they’re advocating at the local level.

On May 16th thousands of CMS teachers rallied in Raleigh for more resources, safer schools and increased teacher pay.

“When we got back everyone was like OK what we do next like it was raring to go we didn’t quite have a plan so now the plan is to work on the local levels,” says CMS teacher Melissa Easley.

The CMS budget request is nearly $40 million more than last year. The county manager’s proposed budget only gives CMS $24 million more than last year.

County Commissioners say school safety and teacher salaries are important, but there’s only so much money to go around.

“We will increase it this year but we also have other areas that need help whether it’s building libraries or green-ways,” say Mecklenburg County Commissioner At-Large Pat Cotham.