Teacher Pay Increases Approved by Orange County School Board

North Carolina’s poor track record with teacher pay is no secret. In 2013, North Carolina was No. 47 in the nation for worst teacher salaries, and in 2014, teachers were paid nearly $12,000 below the national average.

But Orange County is now increasing it local supplements to support teachers.

“It’s been quite some time since there’s been significant change for teacher compensation in North Carolina, and we felt like it was incumbent upon us to try to do what we could from a local supplement standpoint,” said Orange County Schools superintendent Todd Wirt.

He announced that the School Board of Education approved an increase in the local salary supplement for school employees.

“I’m proud of our board for doing that and it puts us in a good competitive place,” Wirt said. “But it also tells our teachers that we value the work they do and commitment they’ve made to this community.”

That “competitive place” is alongside Wake County that, in the fall, approved $16 million in teacher raises and the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City School District, which also increased its funding for teacher pay this spring. Wirt says the pressure from neighboring districts didn’t influence this latest decision, but rather put a spotlight on the teachers.

“The last few years has been what I would say is a devaluing of educators – public educators – in North Carolina and so our pressure is about how do we respond and show value to the teachers that we have and build them up and reward them for the work they are doing.”

Of all the school district employees, teachers will receive the largest pay increase. Staff with 20 or more years of service will receive the largest increase at four percent, while newer staff with less than five years of work will receive the smallest pay increase at two percent.

In addition to the pay increase, the Board of Commissioners will provide Health and Safety Contracts for school nurses and school resource officers. These updates will save Orange County Schools an estimated $400,483.

“Some of the raises that have been part of state budgets in the last couple years have not touched a large portion of our employees – specifically our veteran teachers, some of our other support positions and classified employees.”

Over the summer, North Carolina educators hold and attend conferences and workshops – something Wirt says shows the dedication and passion of local teachers.

“It’s great to see teachers fired up and doing really great work during the summer when most people think they take that time off.”

Writ says by approving the supplements, Orange County’s Board of Education is prioritizing public education and the need to retain and recruit quality teachers and staff.