(The Center Square) – Restoring rewards for longevity and master’s degrees in the pay of educators have been filed in the North Carolina Senate.
Appropriation of taxpayers’ dollars would be $140.3 million for the 2024-25 year, if enacted, from the General Fund for the longevity proposal. The cost is $8 million in 2024-25 for restoring master’s pay, according to drafts of the two bills.
The topic has been a source of tension since a decision for 2014-15 removed the longevity benefit by incorporating it into the 30-step salary schedule. Teachers were held harmless to avoid a decrease in pay, and the master’s 10% differential was no longer applied to new hires.
The 12% supplement based on National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was calculated as 12% above the bachelor’s degree, even for those with a master’s.
Democratic Sens. Lisa Grafstein of Wake County, Kandie Smith of Pitt County and Michael Garrett of Guilford County have proposed both bills in the Republican-majority chamber. Co-sponsors are Democratic Sens. Sydney Batch of Wake County, Natasha Marcus and Mujtaba Mohammed of Mecklenburg County, and Natalie Murdock of Durham County for both proposals, and Sen. Gale Adcock, D-Wake, additionally on restoring master’s pay.
Longevity pay, per Senate Bill 817, would be 4.5% of base salary for 25 or more years of service; 3.25% for 20-24 years; 2.25% for 15-19 years; and 1.5% for 10-14 years.
Senate Bill 818 would repeal a state statute and State Board of Education policy TCP-A-006, in effect on June 30, 2013, would be reinstated. That policy determines whether paid on the “M” salary schedule, or if educators receive a salary supplement for academic preparation at the six-year or doctoral level.
On her website, Grafstein says, “Teachers are working harder than ever and getting less respect. We have equip our schools to meet students’ needs, and that includes treating and paying teachers like the professionals they are.”
