Harnett Dispatch

Sore Loser Editorial Released by Young Republicans tells half truths

Earlier this week the Dispatch received an editorial with no name attached to it claiming that the school board was requesting a 600% increase in High School Principal pay.

After checking the facts, it’s true that they did request 600% increase but it was for teachers and Principals to reduce staff leaving for other district that pay more.

Teacher Supplement Currently, North Carolina ranks 46th in the Nation with regard to teacher salaries.  Additionally, the teacher salary scale has been frozen for six years, which translates into no salary increase for teachers, with the exception of one 1.2% raise, during this time period. The salary situation is further exacerbated by the fact that there was a 9.75% rate of inflation (US Department of Labor CPI Inflation Calculator) during this period.  Employees are also now paying a portion of their self-coverage for health insurance, which was previously provided at no charge.  In an effort to retain quality teachers, school districts provide a local salary supplement for teachers.

A comparison of Harnett County’s teacher supplement compared to other neighboring counties Teacher Supplement Schedule Harnett 0-2 years – $2,000  (approximately 6.5% for a first-year teacher) 3-14 years – $2,250 (approximately 6.8% for an eight-year teacher) 15-25 years – $2,400 (approximately 5.7% for a twenty-year teacher) 26+ years – $2,600 (approximately 5.4% for a thirty-year teacher)
Cumberland 0-10 years – 8.5% 11-15 years – 9% 16+ years – 9.5% Johnston 0-8 years – 8.5% 9-16 years – 9.5% 17-24 years – 10.5% 25+ years – 11.5%
Moore 8% for all teachers High school teachers serving as department chair in a core area receive an additional 2%
Wake 0-7 years – 14.25% 8-12 years – 14.75% 13-17 years – 15.25% 18-22 years – 15.75% 23-27 years – 16.5% 28+ years – 17.28% Master’s – additional 0.5%
The teacher supplement schedule for Harnett County Schools is significantly less favorable than neighboring districts, which attract many of our experienced teachers.   As a result of this, teachers, who are otherwise very satisfied with teaching in Harnett County often take positions in these neighboring counties for financial reasons.  For example, a 20 year teacher with Harnett County Schools can simply drive to Wake County and increase his/her salary by 10% in supplement alone.
According to the 2012-2013 Teacher Turnover Report, generated by the North Carolina Department of Instruction, 221 teachers left their positions with Harnett County Schools.  Almost 53% of teachers who left employment with the district indicated that they were leaving for either personal reasons or specifically to teach in another district.  The balance of those who left did so for reasons beyond their control or for a reason initiated by the school district.  The majority of the teaching workforce with Harnett County Schools is younger staff members, as indicated by the 2013 NC Report Card.