The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Board of Education is committing to raising teacher pay in the district, but is doing so at their own risk.

The Board of Education has now officially locked themselves into raising the teacher supplement provided by the school system from 12 percent to 16 percent starting in August.

Teachers in North Carolina are given a base salary determined by the state, but individual school systems provide supplements .

“We are committing to that match increase without knowing what the outcome will be from the county commissioners,” board member Andrew Davidson said. “We are willing to accept the budgetary consequences of making that choice.”

The board is preparing to ask the Orange County Board of Commissioners for nearly $4.5 million dollars to increase their budget, $1.8 million going towards the raise in supplements.

Because the Board of Education approved the raise in their meeting Thursday, should the commissioners decide to reject the increase, the school system would still be responsible for paying the new salaries.

“It’s not something we take lightly,” board chairman James Barrett said. “But it’s also critically important for the recruitment period and just the time of the year we’re in given the budget cycle works, but we need teachers in August.”

The move comes after Wake County Schools raised its supplement to 16 percent last year.

Members of the board felt the school system would have problems competing for talent or retaining their teachers if they offered lower pay than Wake County.

“This is also the season where teachers who have been here with us for a couple of years will now have reassurance that their salary come August here will be at 16 percent supplement,” Barrett said.

The district will present its proposed budget to the commissioners April 26.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Men's Basketball Collaborates With Hargraves Students to Design Warm-Up Shirts
The UNC men’s basketball team took another road trip Wednesday afternoon, though this one was closer to home than most.
Top Stories Of 2025: Triangle Residents Dazzle Across Television Appearances
From lovely islands to pretty summers and all the way to the Upside Down, the Triangle made its way onto the small screen in a big way this year.
Top Stories of 2025: In Orange County, An Anticlimactic Election
The municipal election was always going to be one of the top stories of 2025 in Chapel Hill - though this year's race was unusually quiet.
Top Stories of 2025: A Year of Change for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
While the academic calendar goes from July to June, this calendar year for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools was filled with major stories.
CHCCS Competition Cooks up Hands-On Culinary Experience for Local High School Students
CHCCS recently hosted its first-annual high school culinary competition, offering a hands-on cooking experience outside the classroom.
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.
Orange County Schools Cancels Class for Tuesday; CHCCS Issues 2-Hour Delay, Sets Normal Operations For Wednesday
Orange County Schools will hold no instruction on Tuesday, Dec. 9, over concerns for road conditions, while CHCCS will operate on a delay.
CHCCS Teacher Featured In 'Stranger Things' Final Season
The fifth and final season of the Netflix drama Stranger Things features a familiar face from the Chapel Hill Carrboro community.
CHCCS Announces Public Talks Regarding Potential $2.1 Million Funding Cut
Superintendent Rodney Trice will deliver a series of public talks discussing a potential $2.1 million reduction in funding from the state in the 2026-27 school year.
CHCCS Reviews Mixed Initial Student, Teacher Feedback for High School Block Schedule
As Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools enter the second quarter, the district recently gave an update on its new high school block schedule.
›