RALEIGH -- North Carolina public school teachers won't be getting the maximum amount of their performance bonuses this year.
The State Board of Education on Thursday approved a measure giving teachers $1,053 if their school's students exceeded benchmarks, instead of the usual $1,500. Teachers at schools that
met state expectations will receive $527 instead of the usual $750.
The approximately 30 percent cut in the bonuses was necessary because the General Assembly this year capped the amount of state funds that could be used for teacher bonuses at $94 million.
Education officials had warned that wouldn't be enough.
Board Chairman Howard Lee said the bonus cut is unfortunate but said he understands that the state is in a financial crunch.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Teachers....
Without teachers, there would be no other professions....Think about that, Raleigh, when cutting educational funding!!!!!
Also, what so many people
Also, what so many people don't realize is even if it says that teachers still are getting about a $1,ooo bonus check...that is BEFORE taxes. A $1,000 bonus check usually ends up being about $750 after taxes. I find it absurd that our government is being allowed to so easily renig on the promises that it gives to the employees. How does it stand that a teacher is promised X amount of money if their students perform above a certain standard and this happens, but the powers that be say "Oh well done but we have decided not to keep our word." Outrageous!
Honesty
The students and teachers at my school worked hard to improve performance, behavior, learning and test scores; we had high growth in all areas, for students of all ability and socio-economic levels. We kept our end of the bargain...now the state will not give us the bonuses we were promised. Would that happen in the private sector? Would an athlete settle for 67% of his performance bonus? No one would expect other professionals to tolerate this type of disregard for a job well done, yet teachers are supposed to smile and press on. We teach because we love kids; but, it is not easy to carry on when we don't get the respect given to other professionals. I think the government knows we work for love of kids, and takes terrible advantage of that love.
80%
Easleys old lady got 80%......It's who you know folks!
Disappointment
We teachers work very hard and deserve every bit of bonus we earn, plus some. I know we should be thankful for our raises, but it was very disappointing not to get the percentage that we have been getting over the past few years. Then, we find out that our bonuses have been cut! This is ridiculous! I'm sure this would not be the case if the individuals who are sitting up in Raleigh making these decisions were teachers themselves.
...
My husband is a teacher and we have two small children. Thanks a lot "General Assembly" for adding a nail into our coffin. We'll eat great this month again.. NOT!
North Carolina is one of the worst states to teach in. And pronominally one of the worst states for test scores.. coincidence?? I think not.
This type of thing URKS ME
"General Assembly this year capped the amount of state funds that could be used for teacher bonuses at $94 million. Education officials had warned that wouldn't be enough"
Yet, lets find out what percentage of a raise or BONUS our elected officials got...
There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHATSOEVER to be short changing our teachers...NO REASON! I am SHOCKED that there are still individuals willing to put up with the crap you have to put up with to be a teacher.
WE NEED TO CLEAN FLIPPIN HOUSE in November...VOTE EVERY FLIPPIN INCUMBENT OUT OF OFFICE...I'm growing tired of this stuff.
I want my money back
Crazy, sad, and true. Don't we have an education lottery that helps support this budget? Oh yeah I forgot... part of that budget has to go to the printing of the scratch-offs and the TV commercials to promote the scratch off games. HEY GAME SHOW GUY, I WANT MY MONEY BACK!