On the first day of the legislative session, Governor Stein released his new budget proposal: Keeping North Carolina Strong 2026-2027.
Public Schools First NC commends Governor Stein for his commitment to North Carolina educators represented in his budget proposal. We strongly endorse the Governor’s plan to roll back private school vouchers and his plan to use public funds for public education by increasing teacher salaries an average of 11%, restoring master’s degree pay and eliminating the 10-year salary plateau for teachers in years 15-24. The Governor’s budget also includes a 5% supplement for our deserving retired educators.
These proposals represent a major step forward in recruiting and retaining our valuable public school teachers. We encourage all NC legislators to join Governor Stein’s effort to make NC teacher salaries the highest in the Southeast. These and other investments in early childhood education, school health professionals (counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers), medicaid, and more will build a stronger future for our state.
Below are a few highlights from the budget proposal:
Moratorium on Opportunity Scholarship vouchers. Ends all future awards. Voucher funding will continue only for current recipients in families making less than 150% of reduced-price-lunch eligibility. This move is expected to save more than $1 BILLION that can be redirected to public schools.
Educator Salaries and Support
- Average 11% raise for all teachers
- Restores master’s degree pay
- Eliminates salary freeze for teachers in years 15-24
- $1,000 bonus for teachers and staff, plus $500 more for those making less than $75,000.
- Expands Advanced Teaching Roles by investing $40 million/year
- Funds 360 more school health professionals (counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers)
- Funds beginning teacher support program
- Funds a $300 tax-deductible supply stipend for each teacher
Early Childhood
- Raises NC Pre-K reimbursement rates by 6% in all settings
- Increases child care provider subsidy reimbursement rates
- Adopts a refundable child and dependent care tax credit
Additional Public School Supports
- Funds a new tiered funding formula for students with disabilities
- Provides free breakfast to all K-12 students
- Recommend $15 million on top of federal funding to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program
- Fully funds the Medicaid rebase for 2026-27
- Funds a school resource officer for every middle school and adds new standards for training.
- Adds support for low-performing districts
- Reinstates the back-to-school sales tax holiday
Governor Stein’s budget represents an important first step, but it will need to be followed by additional steps/funding to move North Carolina forward in its support for public schools and communities and up the national rankings.
An immediate next step will be to increase salaries for experienced teachers. Although Governor Stein’s budget increases beginning teacher salaries substantially, veteran teachers don’t fare as well. From the current schedule to the proposed 2026-27 schedule, beginning teachers gain $12,120/year while teachers with 15 years of experience gain only $2,660/year.
- Beg. Teachers: $41,000 to $53,120 ($12,120)
- 10 years: $49,350 to $55,390 ($6,040)
- 15 years: $53,880 to $$56,540 ($2,660)
- 25+ years: $55,950 to $58,750 ($2,800)
The short session is moving quickly. House and Senate members will be releasing their budget proposal soon. Now is the time to contact lawmakers and urge them to pass a robust budget that supports public schools.