More money for raises and private school vouchers in the NC House budget proposal

Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes, second from the left) discusses the highlights in the education portion of the House Budget. (Photo: NCGA video stream)

The budget state House Republicans want would increase beginning teacher pay to $4,400 a month and add $248 million for private school vouchers. 

House budget writers said the state is facing increased competition for new teachers, particularly from bordering states. North Carolina ranks 42nd nationally in beginning teacher pay, the News & Observer has reported. 

Last year, the legislature approved a massive expansion of the private school voucher program that allows even the wealthiest families to qualify for some taxpayer money for private school tuition. Republicans say they want to add more money to the meet an obligation to the families who have applied.

The budget also helps patch a hole in childcare funding, proposing to spend $135 million on stabilization grants. Childcare providers, parents, and Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration have been warning of dire consequences, including childcare center closures, when the last of federal stabilization money runs out this month. Republican budget writers said the $135 million will meet 75% of the need. 

The budget brings teacher pay increases to 4.4% and boosts state employee salaries by an additional 1% next year, adding to the 3%  already baked into the budget. 

Teachers who have master’s degrees in the subjects they teach will again be able to earn more money.  Republicans ended a master’s pay supplement for teachers about 10 years ago. 

Correctional officers will see an additional 9% raise, according to a statement from House Speaker Tim Moore. The House budget funds the increases by eliminating 1,400 vacant correctional officer jobs. About 1,000 vacant correctional officer jobs remain. 

An opening offer

The budget House Republicans say they will pass this week is an opening offer that won’t win approval in its current form from the Senate. House and Senate Republicans have not agreed on new spending for next year. 

Rep. Donny Lambeth, senior chairman of the House budget committee, told reporters that negotiations with the Senate are continuing in the background. 

“We are making counter offers back and forth,” said Lambeth, a Winston-Salem Republican. 

The stumbling blocks to a final agreement with the Senate include bonuses for government retirees, teacher pay and salaries in general, and some Medicaid provider rate increases, Lambeth said. 

The House budget includes a 2% bonus for government retirees.

The NC Association of Educators president said the increased beginning pay and restoration of master’s pay are welcome, but the spending on vouchers is not.

“Our teachers and public school employees just finished another successful school year, making extraordinary efforts to teach our kids in the face of continued staff shortages, low pay, and lack of respect,” NCAE President Tamika Walker said in a statement. “How much longer will they hang on? We lost 1 in 9 teachers just last year. Master’s pay and beginning teacher raises give hope, but an expansion of private school vouchers won’t help. Educators are looking for lawmakers to match our effort so we can continue to support North Carolina’s students.”

The House plans to vote on the budget this week and send it to the Senate. House Republicans planned to push the budget through three committees on Tuesday without considering amendments. Lambeth said amendments will be considered Wednesday, when the full House is scheduled to vote. A final vote is scheduled for Thursday. 

Special provisions

The budget also includes special provisions, items that don’t have anything to do with money.

One such provision would require prosecutors who reduce or dismiss charges in civil disorder cases explain their decision in writing and in open court. 

“It will be used for accountability to be sure that in these situations, at least the public will know what’s happened,” said Rep. Carson Smith, a former Pender County sheriff. 

Republican legislators have focused on civil disorder as part of their response to protests of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis by former police officer Derek Chauvin. The legislature passed a law last year increasing penalties for civil disorder and rioting and recently sent a bill to the Governor that would further toughen penalties. 

Another provision would take responsibility for appointing the DMV commissioner from the state Transportation secretary and give it to the governor. Further, it would require the House and Senate to agree to the appointment.

DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has been on the hot seat recently for long waits for DMV appointments. He’s also been called on to explain weeks-long delays in mailing of permanent driver’s licenses.

Yet another would require each of the state’s local school boards to establish a “community media advisory committee” that would be charged with investigating and evaluating challenges to classroom “supplementary and instructional materials.”

Click here to read the “committee report” that details each of the hundreds of adjustments made to various appropriations and here to read the text of the proposed 271-page bill.

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