The House and Senate released their proposed budget late last night. The Senate is expected to have its first vote on the budget today, and the House is expected to hold its first vote tomorrow. Legislators hope to have all final votes on the budget by the end of the weekend.
Some of the budget highlights include:
Teacher Compensation
The final budget provides for a new six-step teacher salary schedule. The new salary schedule can be found on page 50 of the budget bill linked here: http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2013/budget/2014/S744-CCSMDXF-1-v-62.pdf
Teachers who began work toward their masters by August 1, 2013 will continue to receive the master’s degree supplement. The budget extends the National Board Certification supplement to National Board Certified instructional coaches in Title One schools.
Teacher Longevity Pay
The budget states that in lieu of providing annual longevity payments to teachers paid on the salary schedule for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years, the amounts of those longevity payments are built into the salary schedule.
The budget also provides that a teacher compensated in accordance with the new salary schedule shall receive an amount equal to the greater of (i) the applicable amount on the salary schedule or (ii) the sum of the teacher’s salary plus the annual longevity payment that was effective for the 2013-2014 school year. In addition, educators receiving compensation equal to the sum of the teacher’s salary plus the annual longevity payment that was effective for the 2013-2014 school year shall receive an annual bonus of one $1,000, payable monthly.
Driver Education
Also included in the budget is a provision that states it is the intent of the General Assembly that, beginning in fiscal year 2015-2016, the driver education program administered by the Department of Public Instruction shall no longer be paid out of the Highway Fund based on an annual appropriation by the General Assembly. Local boards of education shall use funds available to them, including a fee for instruction charged to students to offer noncredit driver education courses in high schools.
Department of Public Instruction
The budget reduces funding to DPI by 10%.
Teacher Assistants
The budget does not eliminate funding for teacher assistants in the second and third grades but does include a significant cut.
Read to Achieve
The Read to Achieve modifications contained in the House budget are not contained in the final budget.
Textbooks
Textbook funding is increased by $905,000 in the proposed budget.
Central Office Administration
Central office staff funding for local LEAs is reduced by 3%.
Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse
The budget authorizes the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources to join the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse for the purposes of access to key data necessary to enhance safety in the use of toxic substances.
Children in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
The budget includes increased funding for the education of children in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities.