CMS board passes budget that increases teacher pay, invests in facilities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — The next year’s budget for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was approved unanimously by the Board of Education Tuesday night.

The 2024-25 budget falls just under $2.1 billion total , with roughly $1.9 billion for operating funds. It includes revenue from the federal government, state, and county.

While determining which aspects of the school district to fund, there were several public input sessions earlier in the spring.

The approved budget includes:

• Pay increases for teachers and staff to support retention and recruitment of the workforce.
• A request for capital funds to address needs identified in the Facilities Condition Assessment which excludes schools impacted by the recently passed bond.

The salary for beginning teachers was approved to increase from $46,302 to $48,636, with a $7,636 local supplement, and for teachers with at least 25 years’ experience, an increase from $66,557 to $68,119.

The approved local supplement to state-allotted salaries is now at an average of $10,801 (or 5 percent) and higher than Wake County and Chapel Hill-Carborro school districts.

Board member Lisa Cline noted the physical upgrades needed at many campuses.

“We know now, many of our facilities need additional help, and there’s a long list they’ve been working on,” she said. “Hopefully that can go towards helping HVAC and paving and digital signs.”

CMS leaders say the main budget items align with the district’s operational and people pillars of excellence.

Of the budget’s expenses’ 53 percent are in salaries, and 23 in employee benefits.

“Maintaining high-caliber teachers was a theme in the public input sessions held in February and March of this year, and we heard that again in the most recent public input sessions,” Board Chair Stephanie Sneed said. “The request includes additional funds to ensure that we are able to recruit and retain the best workforce and that facilities are maintained for the best learning environment of our students. I speak for the BOE when I say our students are worth that investment.”

Thelma Byers-Bailey made the motion to approve the recommended budget. It was the first passed with Crystal Hill as permanent superintendent.

The next step in the process is to present the BOE’s approved budget to Mecklenburg County at its May 8 meeting. CMS comprises 37 percent of the county’s current fiscal year budget, 2 points up from 2023 and 2022.

The projected 2024-25 CMS enrollment is 141,149, creating a cost per pupil of $13,053.

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