August 15, 2024

Sen. Phil Berger
Senate President Pro Tempore
16 West Jones Street, Room 2007
Raleigh, NC 27601

Rep. Tim Moore
Speaker of the House
16 West Jones Street, Room 2304
Raleigh, NC 27601

Dear Senator Berger and Speaker Moore,

We join educators across North Carolina in urging the General Assembly to amend the biennium education budget to include a pay increase of at least 5.0% for both certified and non-certified staff during your session beginning on September 9th, 2024. The current inflation rate continues to outpace the salary adjustments in the existing state budget, placing significant strain on our educators.

Public school systems are the largest employers in 46 of our 100 counties. In Orange County, we rank as the third-largest employer, following UNC Health and UNC. This highlights the profound impact that salaries have, not only on our staff but on the community at large.

As locally elected officials, we share a collective responsibility to support the well-being of our schools and communities. We believe this duty extends equally to our legislators.

We respectfully request that you prioritize and implement salary increases above the currently budgeted amounts, with these adjustments taking effect immediately. The necessary funds are already allocated within the state budget, and we urge you to direct them where they are most needed.

Our students and staff deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

George Griffin, Board Chair
Riza Jenkins, Board Vice Chair
Meredith Ballew, Board Member
Rani Dasi, Board Member
Barbara Fedders, Board Member
Vickie Feaster Fornville, Board Member
Mike Sharp, Board Member

C: Hon. Allen Buansi, Representative, District 56
Hon. Renee Price, Representative, District 50
Hon. Graig Meyer, Senator, District 23