From our State Treasurer back in 2017: “Did You Know? During 2017, the state spent $3.3 billion on medical and pharmacy benefits. At the same time, costs have increased 5 to 10 percent while funding for the Plan only saw a 4 percent increase. In addition, the state has a $34 billion unfunded liability for … Continue reading Open Enrollment Is Approaching – Remember That 2017 Letter From the State Treasurer to Teachers About the State Insurance Plan?

Below is the salary schedule for a teacher in North Carolina for the 2020-2021 school year. Any teacher new to the profession in the last seven years would never be on the second schedule because newer teachers are not allowed a pay bump for graduate degrees. Notice how the salaries also plateau after year 15. … Continue reading They Are Already Cutting Teacher Retirement

From yesterday: That makes reference to this: The only state that is late is North Carolina. It has been late for three years. And the largest item in the NC state budget is public education.

According to TeachNC on September 20, there were 21924 total jobs needing to be filled. This morning just two days later, that number has risen. In two days, another 212 job vacancies were reported.

"...working to address many of the longstanding issues facing #nced." Hmmm. Wonder if it includes even looking at LEANDRO.

Last year was tough. Mostly virtual. Felt like 36 weeks of intense professional development. With protocols and mandatory asynchronous time on classes, I maybe had about 40% of the "face" time that I would usually get in a typical school year. And the state still "tested" students. But this year is tougher, and it is … Continue reading This Year Is Much Tougher Than Last Year For Teachers – And NOT Because Of The Students

I do not know of a single instance in public education where merit pay actually has increased student achievement. Yet, many lawmakers not only advocate merit pay, but also differential pay based on the willingness “to take on additional tasks” like clubs, coaching, mentor, and chairing of departments. First, look at merit pay as a … Continue reading Dear Supt. Truitt, Merit Pay & Differential Pay Are Bad Ideas for North Carolina Public Education

Last April, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt introduced her vision for DPI and public education in North Carolina. Yesterday, she made another presentation about "Operation Polaris" to the state board. It is called “Operation Polaris” in reference to the North Star. It alludes to the constant presence, the ever shining beacon, and the foundational staple of … Continue reading About Supt. Truitt’s “Operation Polaris” – It Must Include Some Things To Even Begin To Work

There is a reason that we read serious works of literature. And others can say why much better than I can. “I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson“We read to know we are not alone.”— William Nicholson (often attributed … Continue reading A Reading Assignment For Our NC Legislators — And There Will Be A Test

Senator Phil Berger’s “Press Shop” again been been parading a new post that grossly misrepresents NC’s ranking in the Southeast and the nation as far as its treatment of public education, specifically the money spent on K-12 schools, money per pupil spent, and average salaries. He's making reference to this July 2020 publication from the NEA which is … Continue reading #2 In The Southeast? 39% Increase? Looking Again At Sen. Berger’s Misleading Press Shop