May 2014

The State Senate voted to pass its proposed budget on May 31.  Attention now turns to the House of Representatives as its leaders develop its proposed State budget.  Here are some of the budget advocacy items that NCPTA is working on: 1.  NCPTA strongly advocates for increased teacher compensation to ensure that North Carolina teacher compensation is regionally competitive and that North Carolina attracts the best and brightest students to enter and stay in the teaching profession.  North Carolina ranks 47th in the United States in teacher compensation.  We can do better for our teachers and our children. 2.  NCPTA […]

The Senate budget released on May 28 also contained a number of cuts to public education.   Some of the proposed cuts are as follows: Reduces funding for teacher assistants by $233 million so that state funding would only provide for teacher assistants in grades K-1 and not K-3 Cuts $3.5 million from school bus replacement Cuts $28.6 million from school transportation services.  State funding for driver education would be eliminated Cuts the Department of Public Instruction by 30% Cuts 70 school nurse positions

The North Carolina Senate released a $21.2 billion proposed budget on May 28 that provides for an average 11% pay raise for teachers in North Carolina who agree to give up their tenure.  If this proposed increase is adopted, North Carolina would move from 47th to 27th in teacher pay in the United States and move North Carolina ahead of Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina in teacher compensation.    

Video of today’s announcement:  http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/video/13679966/

A bill that would change certain provisions of the Read to Achieve law will be heard in the Senate Education Committee today in Room 643 at 9:00 a.m.   To listen live to this committee hearing, you may go to the following audio link and click on Room 643:  http://www.ncleg.net/Audio/Audio.html

The following Washington Post link shows a state-by-state comparison of teacher salaries in the United States: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/15/how-much-teachers-get-paid-state-by-state/?tid=sm_fb

NCPTA recently asked members to give feedback on certain issues facing students and families in North Carolina.   Here are the results of our poll. 1.  It is important for teachers in North Carolina to have salaries that are competitive with other states in the southeast:  99% of members who responded agree with this statement. 2.  It is important for North Carolina to have rigorous education standards focused on critical thinking skills:  92% of members who responded agree with this statement. 3.  Universal breakfast should be encouraged in public schools throughout North Carolina:  66% of members who responded agree with

The following memo developed by General Assembly staff outlines types of bills that are eligible for consideration in the 2014 Short Session of the North Carolina General Assembly.  http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/legislativepublications/Research%20Division/Eligible%20Bills/Bills%20Eligible%20for%20Consideration%20for%202014%20Session.pdf

Toxic Free NC will host a Toxic Free Tea event in Concord on May 29 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Participants will enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) and a conversation about toxic chemicals, their impact on our families, and what we can do to make sure that products are proven safe before they find their way onto store shelves and into our homes.  The event will take place at the Rocky River Coffee Co, 9900 Poplar Tent Rd in Concord.  Here is the link to Rsvp:  https://toxicfreenc.wufoo.com/forms/your-rsvp-for-a-toxic-free-tea-s1wv9zv31tgunsy/  

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 725, the Young Offenders Rehabilitation Act.  This bill would classify 16 and 17-year-olds as juveniles when charged with misdemeanors.  The bill passed with an exception if the crime was related to gang activity.  North Carolina is currently one of two states that prosecute 16 and 17-year-olds as adults when charged with misdemeanors.  The bill will now be considered by the Senate.