More than 500 CMS TA Positions Remain in Limbo Until September
CHARLOTTE, NC — Questions linger into September about the status of more than 500 teacher assistants in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Lawmakers have asked for a third extension as they work to compromise on a budget that could eliminate hundreds of the positions.
With 539 teacher assistant jobs on the chopping block, more than 12,000 kindergarten to third graders across CMS could be impacted.
“What billion-dollar business would enter into their next fiscal year without being clear about revenue?” questioned Superintendent Ann Clark. “And that’s really what schools across the state of North Carolina are being asked to do.”
CMS says the teacher assistants are vital in elevating reading skills in students at a young age.
The House’s two-year spending plan would add 90. The Senate’s budget would take away the 539.
Board members expecting to make budget decisions about teacher pay at Tuesday’s meeting learned lawmakers asked for a third deadline that will extend to September 15.
“It’s an abomination to our children here in our schools, in this state and especially in this district where we have put all of our emphasis on literacy this year,” said Chairperson At-Large Mary McCray.
WCCB Charlotte was there Sunday as TAs sent a message to lawmakers.
However, Superintendent Clark says the budget tug-of-war doesn’t just fall back on TAs and students.
CMS has nearly 100 teacher vacancies. For the first time, many are at the elementary level. Superintendent Clark says it’s likely because job seekers want a guaranteed TA when teaching children of that age when classes can have up to 24 students.
“The whole proposition is disconcerting to superintendents across the sate,” said Clark.
For now the TAs will continue working until the Sept. deadline.
The stop-gap spending from the state while legislators work on a budget will mean a pay raise for North Carolina teachers with zero to four years of experience.
The CMS board approved new teacher raises Tuesday. That means new teacher pay jumps from $33,000 to $35,000 dollars.
CMS supplements that salary to $40,000.
Teachers with at least five years experience will not move up on the salary schedule.
