Sen. Gene McLaurin, (25th District)
May 16, 2014
For Immediate Release
Contact: Katie Stanley (919) 733-5953
Judge Issues Injunction on Teacher Pay Law
Raleigh, NC – Earlier today the Associated Press reported that Wake County Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood issued a permanent injunction against a state law ending career status, passed in the 2013 state budget last July. School Boards across the state and in our district have struggled with how to apply the law, which would in effect end career status for our experienced teachers, offering a bonus in the amount of $500 to the top 25% of teachers demonstrating proficiency.
Senator Gene McLaurin (D-Richmond) said, “We are facing a teacher pay crisis in North Carolina. The legislature foolishly cut funds to pay teachers. Now, many of our best teachers are taking second jobs or leaving North Carolina just to make ends meet. This is one of the primary reasons I voted against last year’s budget.
At best, this law would only benefit a quarter of our teachers – while leaving the rest behind. We can’t fix this crisis by pitting our teachers against one another. Most of our educators are excellent professionals who care deeply for their students. All teachers deserve a competitive salary and the ability to provide for their families. Our state laws have no business picking winners and losers in the classroom, and I hope to work with my colleagues in Raleigh to make education a priority and raise teacher pay to the national average. I will continue to work hard every day to achieve such a plan.”
