I’ve decided to run for re-election to the school board and I ask for your support.
My election to the School Board in 2017 seems like a lifetime ago. In those pre-Covid days, I successfully championed the establishment of Community Equity Committee. This group of community stakeholders’ review CMS processes, practices, and facilities with an eye toward improving equity in the district. The Board is already implementing changes in our disciplinary policy because of the work of these community members.
When I was 10, I tagged along to school board meetings with my mom. At that time, my district charged families textbook rental fees. My mom fought those fees. She saw first-hand families struggling to pay and the shame they felt when they couldn’t. I learned from her the power of advocacy and the importance of equity.
The lessons I learned from my mom live on in my heart. I now serve as CMS Policy chair. I work with staff and my colleagues to ensure that our policies reflect the vision and values of our community. I don’t want CMS families to face barriers that marginalize and exclude. My mom showed me how can policy transforms institutions and lives. And that’s why I want to continue this work that will make our system stronger, more accountable, and more equitable.
I would be honored to continue to serve you, and I ask for your vote on November 8.
Here are 3 ways you can support my campaign:
- March with me and my Sawyer for Schools crew in the Charlotte Pride Parade on August 21st. Email me to sign up.
- Host a Meet & Greet, email me and I’ll help get it organized.
- Donate online here, or by check to Sawyer for Schools Committee, 1609 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205.
Thank you for your support!
More than you ever wanted to know about CMS teacher pay
Who sets the teacher pay scale?
The NC General Assembly establishes the state budget that defines teacher pay scales. These pay scales are the same across the state. Here’s a sample pay scale for certified teachers: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/media/13603/download?attachment
Teachers get their state rate – plus, if the county funds it, a little extra. This extra pay is called the local supplement.
Why a supplement? Cost of living varies widely. So CMS uses county dollars to supplement teacher pay. The average teacher supplement is about $7,000/year. When the CMS budget request includes a 10% increase in the county supplement, that represents an average increase of $70/month over 10 months.
Where do the dollars come from?
All 9,000 teachers in CMS receive paychecks from CMS. Salary dollars originate primarily from three sources – state, federal and county funds. Whatever the funding source, all teachers receive base pay + supplement and the same benefits.
- State dollars provide the base pay for most CMS teachers
- Federal dollars provide the base pay + supplement for staff – for example additional teachers in Title 1 schools (which serve lots of low-income families)
- County dollars provide the base pay + supplement for extra teachers in high-needs school (where there is concentrated poverty, many English language learners, etc.) as well as the supplement for teachers paid with state funds.
Teacher allotments or dollars?
This gets a little complicated but hang in there.
- The state calculates the NUMBER of classroom teachers it will allot to CMS based on student enrollment. Whatever that number is, that’s how MANY teachers CMS can pay with state dollars. It doesn’t matter how high or low on the pay scale, the state will pay for the position. Since the state allocates “positions” rather than dollars for teachers, the district receives no financial benefit nor obligation for salaries varying from an average salary estimate by the state.
- County and federal allocations, though, are for “dollar amounts,” not for any specific numbers of teachers.
Why is this important?
CMS wants to fund as many teachers as possible. To maximize our dollars, CMS pays the teachers with the highest salaries in state allotted positions. This allows us to stretch county and federal dollars to hire more staff.
Why should CMS match the pay raises granted by the state for local and federally funded teachers?
It’s the only fair thing to do. Remember that we use our state allotment for our highest paid teachers. If we didn’t match the pay increases for all, only the highest paid teachers would get raises.
What happens when the state health insurance and pension costs increase?
When benefit costs increase, those expenses are covered in the state allotted positions. However, CMS must increase the budget to cover those expenses in county and federally funded positions. If we can’t increase the budget, one alternative is to hire fewer teachers and reallocate the remaining dollars to cover the increase cost of benefits.
What happens when the state raises teacher pay?
Timing is everything. The planning for the CMS budget year (starts July 1) began last fall. When CMS submitted its budget request to the county in May, it included funds to match the announced state pay raises for locally funded positions. In July, the state increased educator pay. While this is certainly needed, CMS faces the significant challenge of identifying funds to match the state pay raises for our locally funded positions.
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