Republican legislative leaders announced a budget framework calling for an average 8% teacher raise. CMS must match any state-approved raises.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials presented their fiscal year 2027 budget request to Mecklenburg County on Wednesday,ย one day after the school board approved the proposalย โ and state Republican leaders unveiled a budget framework that could require CMS to amend it mid-year.
The board approved the budget Tuesday night, weeks after rejecting Hill’s initial plan in April. Board members’ key concerns had centered on mental health support, equity and unpredictable state funding. The board was working against a tight deadline, as state law required them to agree on a budget by Friday.
Hill’s first version assumed the state would approve a 3% raise for teachers. Following concern from board members, she revised the figure to 5%. Then, just hours before Tuesday’s vote, Republican legislative leaders announced a budget framework calling for an average 8% teacher raise.
CMS must match any state-approved raises for its 2,700 locally funded positions.ย
“It seems like our friends in the General Assembly are trying to look a little better, maybe in how theyโre treating teachers after the uproar for the community,” Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell said at Wednesday’s presentation. “They may go higher in their teacher raises. And are we prepared to meet those raises in our budget?”
CMS Chief Financial Officer Kelly Klutz responded that she’s confident they will be able to absorb a higher raise after internal reallocation and with the county’s support.
“The reason we can be the highest in the Southeast is because of you. You make that happen. You make that possible,” Klutz told county officials Wednesday. “As you know, unfortunately, this gap increasingly becomes local responsibility.”
The state budget has not been finalized and remains subject to change, meaning CMS will potentially need to amend its budget mid-year once the General Assembly acts.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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