NC teachers to receive smaller performance bonuses

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.)