Gov. Roy Cooper announces plan to increase teachers' salaries

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has announced a plan to raise teacher salaries in the Southeast over the course of three to five years.

His plan includes a 5 percent raise starting this year.

It would be the largest two-year investment in North Carolina teacher salaries in the last decade, according to a news release.

“These aren’t just investments in our teachers, they are lasting investments in our economy and in our own children’s future,” Cooper said. “Education is part of North Carolina’s legacy, but recently we’ve fallen behind. My proposal is a serious, multi-year increase in teacher salaries that will get us to the national average so we can show our teachers the respect they deserve.”

Cooper’s budget proposal would bring average salaries to more than $52,000 in 2017-18 and nearly $55,000 in 2018-19.

The proposal would also give teachers a direct annual stipend of $150 to offset out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies.

The North Carolina Association of Educators' president, Mark Jewell, released a statement about the proposal:

“Gov. Cooper’s two-year teacher pay proposal is a significant step toward restoring respect back to the profession and making North Carolina a teacher destination state once again. It also does not leave out our most experienced educators, which has been the case in recent years. The most valuable resource a student can have to help them be successful is a qualified, caring teacher in front of the class. Gov. Cooper’s strong commitment to public education, educators, and students will make sure North Carolina can recruit and retain the qualified educators and gets North Carolina back on the right track.” 

Click here for more information on the proposed budget.

Cox Media Group