TITLE
Title
ADOPT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING PRIORITIZATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
end
SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner MaryBeth Murphy
end
RESOLUTION
Resolution
Resolution to Prioritize Public Schools in
2023-25 Biennial Budget
WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina is consistently ranked high nationally for its healthy business climate and was recently ranked the #1 state for business; and
WHEREAS, to maintain North Carolina’s economic competitiveness, our state needs a well-educated workforce that can fill the jobs available today and the ones created tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, a strong K-12 public education system is key to North Carolina’s continued success, and to ensuring our students are fully prepared to participate in that workforce and are well-informed, contributing members of their communities; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina’s constitution requires the state to ensure that all children have the opportunity to receive a sound, basic education; and
WHEREAS, public education is one of the most important investments the state makes; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly is currently finalizing a state budget for the 2023-25 biennium; and
WHEREAS, the classroom teacher is one of the most important factors in student success; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is currently facing a teacher shortage crisis with more than 5,000 teacher vacancies, leaving tens of thousands of students without a qualified teacher and putting those students’ success at risk; and
WHEREAS, neighboring states have passed us in teacher pay, leaving North Carolina ranked 32nd nationally in average teacher pay and 46th nationally and 11th in the Southeast in beginning teacher pay, which is causing teachers to leave for other states and other jobs; and
WHEREAS, the Senate’s budget proposal includes a 4.5% salary increase for teachers over the biennium, including only $250 over two years for veteran teachers; and the House budget proposal includes a 10% salary increase for teachers over the bienni...
Click here for full text