Will the CMS approve Teacher’s Raise of $3.4 Million this Fall?

Will the CMS approve Teacher’s Raise of $3.4 Million this Fall?

As July unfolds, the usual buzz of new budget plans is creating a cloud of uncertainty in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), with a particular focus on the potential for a significant increase in teacher raises this fall. To understand the complexity of the situation, a closer look at the final 2024-25 budget plan is essential, which recently submitted to the county, earmarking an additional $3.4 million in anticipation of larger-than-budgeted raises for teachers and other state-paid employees.

A Closer Look at The Budget Issue

For the past two years, the state’s budget approved in 2023, has been containing an average salary raise of a mere 3% for the CMS teachers. The current situation, however, indicates the strong possibility of a substantial increase in this percentage, closer to 4.5%. These probable larger raises led to an extra $3.4 million added to the budget plan.

Nevertheless, this decision might change as the General Assembly adjourned last week without settling on a budget update. As a result, teachers may not get the anticipated raises for 2024-25, leaving CMS the option to reallocate the $3.4 million county money.

Despite the adjournment, the resolution indicates several future dates for the General Assembly to reconvene for discussing specific matters. This leaves the CMS teachers and staff in a state of uncertainty regarding their potential salary increase.

Unresolved Financial Matters

Although the new budget year usually starts on July 1st, this year there is no clear budget confirmation, leaving both countries in a hanging state. The lack of clear consensus has left the CMS administration facing a tough decision—whether they should take the adjournment as final and settle for an average raise of 3% or hold on with the anticipation that the General Assembly might reconvene with an increased percentage.

This turmoil is not only confined to the CMS region but is being experienced across North Carolina and other districts with similar unresolved financial matters.

The state will play a significant role in the final decision; if the raise stays at an average of 3%, the county funds can still be put towards salaries. However, the redistribution mechanism would have to change; instead of a few benefiting from larger raises, the same funds would have to be spread amongst more teachers, resulting in smaller increments.

Future Resolution

Regardless of the uncertainty, immediate action from the CMS side seems unlikely. Preferring a wait-and-watch approach before reallocating the county funds. And as per the earliest estimations, the General Assembly could return with higher raises not before early September—unless a special session gets called into action.

While it’s highly unlikely to expect significant changes before September, the CMS, for the time being, should consider holding off on spending any salary-allocated funds until they are entirely sure about the state’s final decision. This complex issue is not just about $3.4 million—it’s about a community of dedicated teachers and the future of education in the CMS region. The coming weeks could potentially bring the answers to this perplexing $3.4 million question.