PENDER COUNTY — Teacher raises were top priority for Pender County school board members at this week’s meeting.
The board approved unanimously a letter to send to the state legislature, particularly to Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Speaker of the House Destin Hall, Rep. Carson Smith (District 16) and Senator Brent Jackson (District 9), to request more pay for its educators.
The letter indicates the board’s advocacy for starting entry-level teachers at the pay of $50,000 and a 5% increase for certified and non-certified staff. Currently, teacher pay begins at just more than $40,100 statewide, ranking 42nd in the nation.
It also notes the average teacher salary in the state falls short $13,000 compared to the nationwide rate, $56,500. This has dropped the state to 38th in average teacher pay nationwide.
The North Carolina 2023 biennium budget included a 3% raise for certified and non-certified staff for the 2024 year. Inflation escalated though, which the Pender School Board agreed in the letter results in a pay reduction.
“The impact of inflation on our state and nation over the past year has been significant. North Carolina’s median Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation rate has reached approximately 3.8%, as reported by the North Carolina Commerce Department. Below average salaries and inflationary pressure have negatively impacted the teaching profession by creating classrooms without teachers,” the letter notes.
Other districts in the state have joined in on the effort to contact legislators regarding the issue. Pender County BOE Chair Beth Burns said neighboring counties have approved sending the letter, including New Hanover.
“So we have a pretty good base of support for this,” she said. “Just my personal belief: If we don’t stand up for our teachers, who will?”
She called it the board’s job to tell officials who control the purse strings when help is needed. The state makes up the majority of the school board funding, including school operations and instructional expenses.
Burns pointed to recent successful measures of going to the county commissioners to ask for better starting bus driver pay and radio communication technology, approved last week.
“Now, we need our teachers to be paid more and this letter is the way we do it,” she added.
It received unanimous approval.
Naming the new schools
The board also agreed on the final survey to go out regarding the naming of new schools under construction in the county.
Located off N.C. Highway 210, the new campus will house an elementary and middle school to welcome more than 2,300 students, kindergarten through eighth grade. It was funded through the 2022 bond referendum.
As progress continues for its 2027 opening, the public has been surveyed regarding its moniker.
Conducted Jan. 6 through Feb. 2, roughly 630 people responded to three pre-selected names or filled in alternative ideas. Pender County Schools COO Russ Gurganus said staff came up with three names for the survey to align with the county’s policy 9300, which indicates facilities must be geographically identified or reflect something site-specific.
According to the survey results, 54.2% chose Hampstead Elementary and Hampstead Middle, followed by 19.5% that wanted Topsail Elementary and Topsail Middle. Around 13.5% chose East Pender Elementary and East Pender Middle School.
There were 66 unique write-ins but none received more than two votes. Gurganus said Oceanside Elementary, East Topsail Elementary and Island Creek Elementary were a few suggestions.
“Any suggested ones by the board here tonight would be added to this,” he said, noting write-in options would no longer be included as the final survey is prepared to go out.
Gurganus added the school names didn’t have to match up exactly but could also be a mix. For instance, it could be Hampstead Elementary and Topsail Middle; he suggested adding in a fourth option to suggest a blend.
Board member Jason Spivey made the motion to allow it, which was seconded by Tom Reeves.
Vice Chair Don Hall wasn’t clear why adding another option was necessary.
“What was the purpose of a survey that’s been answered by parents that we work for, if we’re gonna just put it out again?” he asked. “Can anybody answer that?”
“Maybe he feels that 637 responses isn’t enough,” Spivey said.
“Well, that’s a good point,” Hall responded.
Board member Jennifer Hansen needed clarity from Gurganus, saying as she understood it surveyors had inquired about whether the schools could be named differently. He confirmed as much is true.
“So you’re trying to condense the responses into four choices?” Hall asked.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do,” Gurganus said.
“Whatever, let’s just vote,” Hall responded curtly.
Burns clarified it seemed Gurganus was trying to refine the process, before being interrupted by Hall about whether the motion was on the floor.
The board voted 4-1 on four options to go out in the final survey; Hall dissented.
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