Governor Stein Advocates for Enhanced Education Funding at Davidson Elementary
In a recent visit to Davidson Elementary School, Governor Josh Stein and Representative Beth Helfrich emphasized the importance of prioritizing educational investment in North Carolina. As part of the Legislators in Schools Week, they called for the General Assembly to enact a comprehensive budget that supports educators and students.
“Teachers across our state are working hard to prepare our students to succeed, and we must join them in investing in student success,” said Governor Josh Stein. He emphasized his eagerness to work with the General Assembly to provide substantial pay raises for North Carolina teachers.
Representative Beth Helfrich echoed Stein’s sentiments, stating, “Our public schools deliver for students, families, and communities every day — despite immense challenges and continued neglect from our General Assembly.” Helfrich urged her colleagues to support a budget that truly invests in the educational sector.
During the visit, Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill welcomed legislators, expressing the importance of recognizing the work done by educators. “Our teachers inspire, challenge, and prepare students for the future, and they deserve an increase in their state base salary,” said Dr. Hill. She stressed that investing in teachers is a crucial step toward student success and societal advancement.
Governor Stein’s recent Critical Needs Budget proposes a $397 million investment in teachers and instructional support. This includes raising starting teacher pay by 13% and average teacher pay by nearly 6%, along with restoring master’s degree pay and increasing compensation for experienced educators.
Additionally, Governor Stein highlighted education priorities at the BEST NC’s annual North Carolina Education Innovation Lab, where he discussed initiatives like the Science of Reading and Advanced Teaching Roles programs. Alongside Speaker Destin Hall and President Pro Tem Phil Berger, Stein announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education to explore teacher training, student advancement, and more.
Read More Here
