Staff Reports
In a bold move that’s causing quite the stir, North Carolina’s public school administrators are demanding a salary shake-up. They’re pulling out all the stops, arguing that those steering schools through enormous challenges like poverty and non-English speaking students deserve a heftier paycheck. And let’s be honest, who can blame them? Leading a school through the murky waters of adversity ain’t for the faint of heart, folks!
Here’s the scoop: The big shots over at the North Carolina Association of School Administrators have taken their plea straight to the committee on education reform in the House of Representatives. They aren’t just asking for spare change here, either. Oh no, they’re proposing some serious cabbage, with salary ranges jumping from a measly $90,631 to a jaw-dropping $113,000! But hold on to your hats, because the proposal on the table is shooting even higher, from $91,121.23 to a whopping $116,296. Talk about aiming for the stars!
North Carolina principals pitch pay increase utilizing 'complexity' factorshttps://t.co/EI1BUv9oMu
— Chalkboard News (@ChalkboardNews) March 12, 2024
But wait, it gets even spicier! These crusaders for change aren’t just looking for a quick cash grab. They’re stirring the pot with suggestions to tie principal salaries to the “complexity” of the school, rather than just focusing on student academic performance. You know what they say, more complex schools mean more stress, higher burnout, and less stability. It’s like they’re asking for hazard pay, and who can say they don’t deserve it?
One principal, Ashley Faulkenberry, took the mic to drive the point home. She’s leading the charge at Trent Park Elementary, and let’s just say her school is no walk in the park. With 120 multi-language students from 27 different birth nations and 16 different languages, she’s singing a tune that’s downright heroic. Not to mention, every single one of her students is chowing down on free or reduced-priced lunch. Talk about tackling the titan of adversity!
And it’s not just Ashley who’s turning heads. Rep. Brian Biggs, straight out of Randolph, is throwing his support behind the cause. As a former school board bigwig, he knows the struggle of finding principals willing to take the reins at the rough-and-tumble schools. According to him, those principals wading through the turbulent waters of hardship are the real MVPs, and they ought to be cashing in on their superstar status.
So, there you have it, folks. The battle lines are drawn, and these principals aren’t backing down. They’re in it to win it, and they’re not leaving any stone unturned in their quest for fair pay and recognition. Watch out, North Carolina – change is on the horizon, and it’s coming in hot!
