CHCCS superintendent Tom Forcella said next year’s budget has one thing in mind — teacher salaries.

“This budget this year has a focus addressing the salary issue problem,” Forcella said. “And very little else in terms of dollars for this year are included in any kind of enhancement of any other kind of programs.”

Teacher salaries are decided by the state, but school systems can offer supplements to that income from their own budgets.

Last year Wake County Schools significantly increased their budget after receiving 15 million dollars for teacher salaries from their county commissioners.

Forcella estimated that Wake County Schools pays teachers an average of two to three thousand dollars more per year and recommended the board increase supplements in next year’s budget.

“I hear principals tell us they have a hard time retaining teachers with Wake County paying a significantly higher supplement than we do,” said board member Andrew Davidson. “So I think it’s absolutely imperative that we get behind this salary increase in every way that we can.”

Forcella recommended the board increase supplements for new teachers from 12 percent to 16 percent as a way to stay competitive in recruiting and retaining teachers.

This expense would add an additional $1.85 million to next year’s budget.

The move would come at some risk because the board is scheduled to ask the county for the necessary funds in April, but there is no guarantee the county will approve.

“We understand that we would be doing this at some risk of cuts,” said board member James Barrett.

The school system will soon begin trying to recruit new teachers and retain others. Because the board is moving forward with this proposal, they will be offering jobs at this increased supplement before receiving county approval for increased funding.

Should the county deny the board’s request; Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will be responsible for cutting $1.85 million next year from its budget to finance the increase in teacher pay.

“It’s something that we have to do,” he said. “And the timing is absolutely critical because of the recruitment cycle and the retention cycle that we’re right in the middle of. It’s the right thing to do to focus on salary.”

The board will submit their proposal for next year’s budget to the county on April 13 and present their proposal April 26.

Related Stories
‹
CHCCS Preparing for New School Year while State Budget is Unresolved
At the board of education meeting for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools on July 18, the board heard an update on the state budget’s status: no change. Despite the new fiscal year for North Carolina beginning on July 1, no progress has been made since Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the proposed budget, which did not include […]
CHCCS Board of Education Approves Site Plans for Carrboro Elementary Replacement Project
Carrboro Elementary School is not in talks for which CHCCS elementary school will close, with plans to replace the existing building instead.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
N.C. House Committee Grills CHCCS Leaders Over 'Parents' Bill of Rights' Policies; District Maintains Compliance
CHCCS leaders appeared in Raleigh to testify to lawmakers about whether the district is following the Parents' Bill of Rights law.
Former School Improvement Team Parent Chair Melinda Manning Runs for CHCCS School Board
Melinda Manning, formerly of Carrboro High School's school improvement team, detailed her candidacy for the CHCCS Board of Education.
CHCCS Board Holds Preliminary Conversation for Hypothetical Elementary School Closure
The Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently met to hear a presentation about closing one of its elementary schools.
CHCCS Board of Education Hears Implementation Update on Upcoming Aligned High School Class Schedules
For Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, a new class schedule will soon go into effect for all of its high schools.
CHCCS Narrows Focus for Bond Plan; Estes Hills, Carrboro, and FPG Elementary Schools Prioritized
The CHCCS school board narrowed its focus to a facilities plan for three new elementary schools, if the $300 million bond referendum passes.
Businesswoman Renée Peet Shares Campaign Platform in CHCCS School Board Race
With more than a dozen people running in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education race this fall, the candidates are beginning to share more about their platforms — with Renée Peet being one of the latest. Peet, who is a marketing professional and Chapel Hill resident, said she felt spurred to jump into the […]
Chapel Hill Resident Vickie Fornville Announces Bid for CHCCS Board of Education
Chapel Hill resident Vickie Fornville has announced her entry into the crowded race for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. Fornville is a graduate of CHCCS and a former parent ambassador for McDougle Middle School. Fornville told Chapelboro she wants the community “to see someone who is running for the board because they […]
›