Craven County school board spends $240K after state fails to send enough money for bonuses

Trevor Dunnell, Sun Journal
·4 min read
Craven County Schools had to use a portion of their previous pandemic funding to cover the costs of teacher bonuses that the state government did not allocate to them.
Craven County Schools had to use a portion of their previous pandemic funding to cover the costs of teacher bonuses that the state government did not allocate to them.

The state of North Carolina did not send enough funds for qualified Craven County teacher bonuses.

The state budget, passed in November, allocated $100 million of federal coronavirus relief funds for the bonuses.

However, after determining how much of the $100 million would be needed through December's payroll numbers, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction discovered the allotment would only cover 80% of those who qualify for the bonus.

Because of that, school systems across the state are scrambling to meet the needs of teachers who qualify for the bonus. In Craven County Schools case, the NCDPI did not send funds for 225 teachers who qua

The NCDPI sent Craven County Schools $742,053 from The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Employee Bonuses program. The program provides the $1,000 bonus pay in the budget for licensed teachers who participated in one or more COVID-19 mitigation training between March 2020 and Jan. 1, 2022.

Craven County Schools Superintendent Wendy Miller explained the school system has 914 eligible licensed teachers while the state only sent enough money for 689 teachers.

"We have 225 teachers that we believe are equally deserving of this bonus and we have money that we can use to support our teachers," said Miller. "This is another way we can use that funding to support our teachers."

Miller requested an additional $242,212.50 for the remaining eligible teachers, which was unanimously approved by the board. The board approved the funds from previous ESSER III allocations from the state.

It is unknown if the state will address the shortage of funds and reimburse school systems. The deadline for school systems to pay the bonus is Jan 31, according to the budget.

Craven County Schools have used ESSER funds for pay increases and bonuses prior to the state budget increases.

More: State budget bonuses will not arrive before Christmas for Craven County teachers

More: Craven bus drivers, subs and teacher assistants get a noticeable bump in pay

Teacher assistants previously received a bonus from ESSER funds effective Dec. 1. The teacher assistants received a $3,000 bonus to be paid out over three years. Those who were employed as of Dec. 1 received their first bonus, while those employed after will receive theirs in May 2022.

Substitute teachers and bus drivers also received a pay increase through local reoccurring funds that went into effect on Nov. 1.

State budget pay increases to begin coming this week

Teacher pay increases are listed at an average of 5% over the next two years, breaking down to 2.5% on an annual basis. Breaking it down further, teachers are taking home between $50-$65 more in each paycheck.

The pay increase has come with criticism across the state as not being enough for teachers who battled through pandemic restrictions. However, Havelock Middle School 6th grade teacher Elizabeth Muller said she is appreciative of the bonus and raises.

"The raise shows investment by our state government in its educators and ultimately in the children we teach," said Muller. "The bonus is greatly appreciated, especially at a time when the cost of living keeps going up."

Employees with Craven County Schools will receive a pay increase from the state on Jan. 26, their bonus pay on Jan. 31, and any retroactive pay in their first February check. How the pay is broken down and who gets what is the question.

For certified personnel, the budget includes an average pay increase of 5% for teachers over the next two years, whose salary will retroactively be paid back to July 1, 2021. To be eligible, the employee had to have been employed with Craven County Schools through Dec. 31.

All state-supported non-certified personnel will receive the greater of 2.5% or whatever it takes to achieve the minimum wage of $13 per hour. The increase will be retroactively paid back to July 1, 2021, and the person must be employed through Dec. 31.

In addition to salary increases, all employee groups are eligible for bonus payments, which will come in February.

The state's bonus pay structure for school employees across the state.
The state's bonus pay structure for school employees across the state.

Some teachers are set to receive $2,800 in bonuses, depending on their salary and training.

Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Craven County school board fills gap state left with teacher bonuses