Teachers Across NC Thank Governor McCrory For Continued Pay Raises | Eastern NC Now

    Press Release:

McCrory Campaign Launches Teacher Ad Campaign

    Raleigh, N.C.     Teachers across North Carolina applauded Governor McCrory for signing a new state budget that raises average teacher pay to over $50,000 plus benefits. Following the budget signing, The Pat McCrory Committee today launched an online ad campaign on Instagram and Facebook featuring real teachers from across the state praising the Governor's efforts to raise teacher pay in North Carolina.

    "While Roy Cooper voted to cut education in the legislature and let teacher pay in North Carolina fall to record lows, Pat McCrory has been righting the ship and working to increase teacher pay," said Russell Peck, Pat McCrory's campaign manager. "As someone who achieved his North Carolina teaching certificate and was a former student teacher, Pat McCrory understands how hard teachers have to work each and every day. This budget raises average teacher pay to $50,000 plus benefits for the first time in state history, and continues to right the wrongs under Roy Cooper and previous leadership."

    Since Governor McCrory took office in January of 2013, average teacher pay has now increased from $45,737 to over $50,000, an increase of more than 9%. Textbook funding has tripled, and overall education funding in North Carolina has grown by more than $1 billion, an increase of 13%. Governor McCrory has increased funding for public schools each year he's been in office.

    Roy Cooper allowed education funding to be slashed by $1 billion between 2008-2011 and let teacher pay in North Carolina fall by 15.7% - more than any other state in the country between 2002-2012. While serving in the legislature, Roy Cooper voted to cut funding for education by over $300 million.


    Brandon Gosey, Cleveland County School System: "The irresponsible fiscal policies of Democrats led to my pay being frozen. Thanks to Governor McCrory, I've finally seen my pay begin to rise over the last few years. I am appreciative of his commitment to raise teacher pay closer to the national average."

    Kate Antony, Forsyth County School System: "Governor McCrory has strongly supported speech pathologists like me in the past. The previous administrations neglected paying teachers what they deserved and now, the teacher budget will raise average pay above $50,000 for the first time. I am very proud of the Governor and his work to raise the standard of living for public education professionals like myself."

    Carlin Tuton, Cumberland County School System: "Thanks to Governor Pat McCrory, teachers feel more supported in the classroom. Pat McCrory was a former student teacher, so he understands the problems we have and he's working hard to fix some of these issues, such as teacher pay in North Carolina. He is supporting us more than past governors have."

    Terry McCann, Durham County School System: "From pay freezes and furloughs to raising teacher pay above $50,000 for the first time. It's amazing what happens when you have a Governor in Raleigh who understands the hardships that teachers endure. For 4+ years when during the previous administration teachers did not receive a raise at all. I finally see a path for North Carolina's teachers to be compensated fairly as it attracts the best and brightest teachers from not only across the state, but also from the rest of the southeast and the nation."

    Luke Eggers, Watauga County School System: "I am grateful to Governor McCrory for raising teacher pay substantially in this and previous budgets. In the last 4 years, and once these new changes are implemented, teacher pay has risen 20 percent. It's clear that the Governor has been listening to teachers around the state. It's an honor to be compensated for doing something I love to do."

    Robert Nunnery, Cumberland County School System: "Governor McCrory's commitment to teacher pay has been proven time and time again. With the rhetoric coming from the other side, you'd think that the Governor is forcing teachers to work for free. Thankful to have a former student teacher fighting for us in Raleigh."

• Contact: The Pat McCrory Committee
•     media@patmccrory.com