Charlotte, NC, February 6, 2026
The North Carolina State Board of Education has approved funding priorities that include advocating for increased teacher salaries and a moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program. The board aims to enhance the financial well-being of public school employees and redirect funds to traditional schools. Current rankings show North Carolina teachers earn below the regional average, prompting calls for better compensation. The moratorium seeks to halt the expansion of a scholarship program that allocates funding to private schools, stirring debate on its impact on public school resources.
Charlotte
North Carolina Education Board Advocates for Higher Teacher Pay and Opportunity Scholarship Moratorium
The North Carolina State Board of Education recently approved its annual list of funding priorities, signaling a strong push for increased teacher salaries and a temporary halt to the expansion of the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program. The board’s recommendations, submitted ahead of the General Assembly’s short session in April, aim to enhance the financial well-being of public school employees and redirect funds to traditional public schools.
Key Recommendations for Teacher Compensation
A central tenet of the Board’s proposal is to significantly boost teacher salaries across the state. They are requesting the state to invest in raising pay for all public school employees, with an overarching goal of making North Carolina teacher salaries the highest in the Southeast region. This push comes as North Carolina currently ranks 8th out of 12 Southeastern states in average teacher pay, falling to 10th when adjusted for the cost of living. States like South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama now have higher average teacher pay.
As of February 5, 2026, the average annual pay for a school teacher in North Carolina is approximately $52,259. However, salary ranges can vary significantly, from $21,811 to $73,613 annually, depending on factors such as skill level, location, and years of experience. Starting teacher pay was $41,000 as of June 30, 2025. Previous legislative proposals, such as the House budget plan from May 2025, aimed to raise starting teacher pay to $48,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $50,000 by fiscal year 2026-27, which would have represented a nearly 22% raise for beginning teachers. This proposal also included restoring a 10% monthly supplement for teachers with master’s degrees. The Senate’s budget proposal in April 2025 suggested an average teacher pay increase of 2.3% for fiscal year 2025-26 and a 3.3% increase over the biennium, along with a $3,000 bonus.
Proposed Moratorium on Opportunity Scholarships
In addition to teacher pay, the State Board of Education is advocating for a moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program. The proposed moratorium would mean no new scholarships would be awarded to students starting next school year, with the funds instead being reallocated to public schools.
The Opportunity Scholarship program, established in 2013, provides state-funded financial assistance to eligible K-12 students to attend private schools. Awards typically range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on a family’s household income, and are intended to cover tuition and other required fees at registered private schools. Eligibility requirements include living in North Carolina, not having graduated from high school, and for new students, being at least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 years old by April 16 and approved for kindergarten.
The program has seen significant growth, serving over 32,000 families in North Carolina as of the 2023-24 school year, with approximately 50,000 scholarships available for the 2024-25 school year. Applications for the 2026-27 school year opened on February 2, 2026, with a priority application period running until March 2.
Debate Over Scholarship Impact
The call for a moratorium stems from concerns about the impact of these scholarships on public school funding. The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) estimated in September 2024 that funding new Opportunity Scholarships under current law could increase annual state K-12 spending by nearly $95 million, which translates to a decrease to public schools of over $20 million and an increase of nearly $115 million to private schools. If all waitlisted applicants were funded, OSBM projected an additional decrease to public schools of approximately $75 million.
However, another perspective argues that Opportunity Scholarships have little to no negative impact on per-pupil spending in public schools. This argument suggests that when a student leaves a public school with an Opportunity Scholarship, the public school no longer incurs the expenses associated with that student, thus maintaining or even slightly increasing per-pupil funding because the average scholarship amount is often less than the average per-pupil public school funding.
Future Outlook
The Board of Education’s recommendations represent a comprehensive approach to strengthening public education in North Carolina. The proposals will now be considered by the General Assembly during its upcoming short session. While there has been prior legislative traction for educator raises, negotiations have stalled in the past, and North Carolina still does not have a budget for the current fiscal year. The debate surrounding teacher compensation and the future of the Opportunity Scholarship program is expected to be a significant focus during the legislative session.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main priorities of the North Carolina State Board of Education?
- The main priorities of the North Carolina State Board of Education include pushing for higher teacher pay and implementing a moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program.
- Why is the Board advocating for higher teacher pay in North Carolina?
- The Board is advocating for higher teacher pay to make North Carolina teacher salaries the highest in the Southeast region, as the state currently ranks 8th out of 12 Southeastern states in average teacher pay, and 10th when adjusted for the cost of living.
- What is the current average annual salary for a school teacher in North Carolina?
- As of February 5, 2026, the average annual pay for a school teacher in North Carolina is approximately $52,259.
- What is the proposed moratorium on Opportunity Scholarships?
- The proposed moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program would offer no new awards to students beginning next school year, with those funds being reappropriated to public schools.
- What are Opportunity Scholarships in North Carolina?
- The Opportunity Scholarship program in North Carolina provides state-funded financial assistance for eligible K-12 students to attend private schools.
- How much are Opportunity Scholarship awards?
- Opportunity Scholarship awards range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on a family’s household income.
- What is the impact of Opportunity Scholarships on public school funding?
- The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) estimated that funding new Opportunity Scholarships could decrease public school funding by over $20 million, while others argue there is little to no negative impact on per-pupil spending in public schools.
Key Features of North Carolina Education Board’s Proposals
| Feature | Details (State-level) |
|---|---|
| Teacher Pay Goal | To achieve the highest teacher salaries in the Southeastern region. |
| Current Teacher Pay (NC) | Average annual pay of approximately $52,259 as of February 5, 2026. |
| Teacher Pay Ranking (Southeast) | 8th out of 12 Southeastern states (10th adjusted for cost of living). |
| Opportunity Scholarship Moratorium | No new awards for the program beginning next school year; funds to be reallocated to public schools. |
| Opportunity Scholarship Program | State-funded financial assistance for eligible K-12 students to attend private schools. |
| Opportunity Scholarship Award Range | Approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on household income. |
| Impact on Public School Funding (OSBM Estimate) | Funding new scholarships could lead to a decrease of over $20 million for public schools. |
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