Teacher pay News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Season's Greetings from the North Carolina General Assembly

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

North Carolina teacher strike disrupts South Garner High School's schedule

A teacher strike in North Carolina has led to significant schedule disruptions at a local high school, affecting hundreds of students.

Fact check: Does NC offer the South's lowest teacher pay?

"North Carolina teachers are already the lowest paid teachers in the South and thanks to the NCGOP's inability to pass a budget their take home pay continues to decrease while the cost of living and inflation only skyrocket," said Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The Nothing-Berger -- Where's the beef?

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Teacher vacancies down in 2025 compared to last year, data shows

North Carolina schools have fewer teacher and bus driver vacancies this fall, according to a new survey from the North Carolina School Superintendents Association, which says it's likely the result of fewer jobs in schools themselves.

NC teacher vacancies and number of teachers are down, new data shows

North Carolina schools have fewer teacher and bus driver vacancies this fall, according to a new survey from the North Carolina School Superintendents Association, which says it's likely the result of fewer jobs in schools themselves.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What the General Assembly didn't do over the summer

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

NC lawmakers still far away from passing new state budget

Raises for state employees are on hold until Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives can reach a state budget deal.

Why hasn't NC approved raises for teachers and state employees? GOP stalemate over taxes

Raises for state employees are on hold until Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives can reach a state budget deal.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: North Carolina's back to school basics

Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

They're NC's fastest-growing source of new teachers. But thousands of them are leaving every year

North Carolina's fastest-growing teacher population is career-switchers on limited licenses. But they say the time and costs required to get a full license is too much to stay in the profession.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Thousands of NC teachers quit before getting a full license, new data shows

North Carolina's fastest-growing teacher population is career-switchers on limited licenses. But they say the time and costs required to get a full license is too much to stay in the profession.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: State budget--everything's coming up raises!

Sunday, May 25, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Teacher raises, DEI cuts discussed at House budget press conference

North Carolina teachers and state employees would receive pay increases under the two-year budget plan released Monday by the state House of Representatives -- raises that will be paid for in part by eliminating thousands of vacant jobs across state government.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The 'New Math' for North Carolina teacher pay

Wednesday, May 7, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Parents, teachers to voice concerns about staff reductions in Wake schools budget

As the Wake County Public School System faces significant budget challenges, educators, staff and families will meet Wednesday to advocate for their needs.

Stein, Green call for more public school investments at educator conference

Hundreds of public school leaders on Thursday will meet in Raleigh to discuss school safety, possible federal funding cuts and education initiatives.

'We are this close': Durham Association of Educators, DPS superintendent at impasse over policy

Over 150 educators and supporters gathered in Durham to rally for workers' rights alongside the Durham Association of Educators (DAE) as they continue their 14-month struggle for union recognition.

NC Gov. Josh Stein calls for $4B school bond, careful government reform in first State of the State address

In remarks prepared for his first State of the State address, North Carolina's new Democratic governor pledged to work with lawmakers on items like Helene recovery and public safety, as well as calling for a $4 billion bond for school construction. Republican leaders appeared to largely reject Stein's calls for bipartisanship.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

KEITH POSTON: Trump's education cuts could devastate local public schools. You should care

Saturday, March 1, 2025 -- Federal dollars play a crucial role local public schools. In Wake County about 6% of the district's operating budget-- $141.2 million--comes from federal funds. If the funding disappears, students and families will suffer.

NC teachers could see annual pay bump of up to $12K under new bill

The bill would also restore extra pay for teachers with master's degrees.

Wake County Schools voting on state legislative priorities Tuesday

School board members will meet at Wake County Schools headquarters Tuesday to talk about what they want to bring before state lawmakers. Teacher pay, changes to the school calendar and special education funding will be their top three priorities.

2025 brings another state income tax cut. Is it too much?

The new year brings North Carolina's eighth state income tax cut since 2014.

2025 brings another NC income tax cut. Some say it's too much.

The new year brings North Carolina's eighth state income tax cut since 2014. Republican lawmakers say the cuts have fueled the state's economic growth. But others say the state is already underfunded, and could be headed for a budget deficit as soon as 2027.

Laura Leslie. WRAL Capitol bureau chief

PAUL FULTON: The crucial connection between business and public education

Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 -- A trained North Carolina workforce is vital for industry and a dynamic economy. Community colleges are a major factor in attracting industry. As good as they are, we too often shortchange them. And we embarrassingly underinvest in our K-12 public schools.