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High-Quality Workforce

GCS Teacher of the Year Juana Rhili connects with a student

Invest in Educator Pay

Provide a substantial increase in state funded base pay for teachers to reach the national average and help attract and retain teachers and address teacher shortages.

Invest in market-rate wages for classified staff so the district can support frontline workers, including teacher assistants, custodians, treasurers, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, administrative staff, etc., as we work to meet state standards and increase student achievement.

To attract and retain a high-quality workforce, GCS needs:

Substantial increases in state-funded base pay for teachers to reach the national average and invest in market-rate wages for classified staff including teacher assistants, custodians, bus drivers, and other frontline workers.

Why this matters:

Teachers

Effective, experienced educators are the foundation of student success, but North Carolina's below-average salaries make it difficult to attract talented educators and keep experienced ones in our classrooms. When we lose teachers to higher-paying states or other professions, our students suffer from constant turnover, larger class sizes, and classrooms led by less experienced educators. Teacher shortages force schools to use long-term substitutes or combine classes, disrupting learning and making it harder for students to build meaningful relationships with educators who know them well. Reaching the national average helps us compete for the best talent and keeps excellent teachers in our schools year after year.

Competitive salaries aren't just about fairness to teachers. They're about ensuring every child has access to highly qualified, experienced educators who can stay focused on teaching rather than worrying about making ends meet.

Frontline workers

Schools cannot function without the frontline workers who keep our students safe, fed, transported, and supported every day. Teacher assistants work directly with students who need extra help. Custodians maintain clean, healthy learning environments. Bus drivers safely transport children to and from school. School nutrition staff provide meals that fuel learning. Administrative staff keep schools running smoothly. When we can't offer competitive wages, these critical positions go unfilled or experience constant turnover, directly impacting students. An understaffed cafeteria means longer lunch lines and less time to eat. Custodian shortages lead to maintenance backlogs. Bus driver shortages create route delays and longer rides for children. Teacher assistant vacancies mean less individualized support for struggling students.

Investing in classified staff wages ensures we can attract and retain the dedicated professionals who make education possible every single day.

One does not enter the field of education seeking fame and fortune, but making a livable wage should not be something educators in North Carolina should have to worry about. 

With the rising cost of everyday expenses, and the increase in insurance premiums educators like me must seek an additional source of income, some working more than one extra side job to make ends meet. This is why there must be an increase in state funded teacher base pay. Teachers are the backbone of society, we ensure all students receive high-quality instruction every day. Teachers are life-long learners spending additional time outside of contract hours to attend professional development, planning and preparing lessons, and diving into data to make sure we are delivering the best education for our students. Investing in North Carolina’s high-quality teachers should be a top priority for the state legislature, we make a difference in our students' and communities' lives every day, we need everyone to stand behind us. We are building and nurturing future NC leaders!

Juana Rhili, 2025 GCS Teacher of the Year

  

Juana Rhili headshot

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