Governor McCrory Unveils Education Budget Priorities Ranging from Teacher Pay to College Scholarships

Statement

On a visit to his high school alma mater, Governor Pat McCrory announced his proposal to increase average teacher pay in North Carolina to more than $50,000 for the first time in state history by providing an average 5 percent pay increase. Governor McCrory revealed that his budget will build on the substantial investments the state has made in teachers since 2013 to recruit and retain the best and the brightest educators to prepare our students for a successful future. The governor was joined by high school teachers, students, principals, university chancellors and community college presidents at today's announcement.

"Two years ago, when I announced a significant teacher pay raise plan right here at Ragsdale, I promised that we would not stop there," said Governor McCrory. "Today, I am following through on that promise and introducing an aggressive education budget that will bring average teacher pay to more than $50,000 for the first time in state history."

When considering robust health and retirement benefits offered to every full-time teacher in our state, the governor's proposed teacher pay increase will bring average teacher compensation to more than $66,000.

Since 2013, under Governor McCrory's leadership, North Carolina has committed over $1 billion more for teacher pay through his first term, thanks in part to the largest average teacher pay increase in the country. This includes both increased base pay for early career educators and advancing teachers more quickly along the pay scale.

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