As August approaches, teachers will begin a new school year and their “step” will increase by another year. That “step” is the number of years served in schools. Not long ago, teachers who served the state for at least ten years would receive what was called “longevity” pay as part of their commitment to public … Continue reading Remember Longevity Pay? It’s Now Over Nine Years That Teachers Have Been Denied.

Below is the salary schedule for a teacher in North Carolina for the 2022-2023 school year. Any teacher new to the profession in the last nine 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. Just Look.

On September 26, 2022 (one month into the last traditional school year), there were well over 15,000 vacancies on TeachNC’s job search feature. On March 8, 2023, that total is below 5,000. So where did those 10,000 job vacancies go? Were they filled? Don't think so. Are they no longer being advertised because they were … Continue reading 10,000 Classroom Teacher Vacancies Gone In NC. Why?

Sen. Phil Berger and his cronies have had 12 years to “improve” our public education system. 12. The number of grades in a standard progression through a public school. Here are a few of the actions taken in those 12 years. 1. Teacher Pay Kept Well Below National Average 2. Removal of Due-Process Rights  3. Graduate Degree … Continue reading They’ve Had 12 Years To “Fix” Public Education. Instead They Have Been Tearing It Apart.

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 … Continue reading A Reading Assignment For Our NC Legislators — And There Will Be A Test

Many have asked me over the years if a teacher can be a school board member and still be in the classroom. At least in my LEA, one cannot. Many teachers over the years have run for positions on the school board, but each has had to stipulate that he/she would step away from the … Continue reading Every Local School Board Should Allow A Public School Teacher To Serve

As it currently stands, North Carolina is one of the many states that operates with a part-time (hybrid) state legislature. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, North Carolina is one the these states: Being a legislator in North Carolina also means that you must be present for two different sessions (long and short) … Continue reading One Way To Help NC Public Schools – Make Being An NC Legislator A Full-Time Job

Having grown up in a small town in the deep South during the 1970’s and 80’s, it was not uncommon to view televangelists on weekends, especially when only four or five channels were available to watch. Claims made by these people were seemingly noble and altruistic, but they always asked for money to do God’s … Continue reading The “Legivangelists” In Raleigh, NC Who Use God In School Funding

Below is the salary schedule set for a teacher in North Carolina for the 2022-2023 school year (compared to the previous school year). It will stay in effect as long as the North Carolina General Assembly does not pass a new state budget. Any teacher new to the profession in the last nine years would … Continue reading Part Of The Reason NC Has Thousands Of Classroom Teaching Vacancies – Comparing NC Teacher Salaries Now to 2008-2009

Just a review of how charter schools in North Carolina operate: Now House Bill 219 will allow local funds to be used in the construction of charter schools (but still not be accountable to local school boards and local officials). Looking at who sponsored the bill, there are no surprises. Here is one of the … Continue reading Want Your Local Tax Dollars To Fund Charter School Construction But Not Allow Local Entities Oversee Those Schools? The NCGA Has A Bill For That.