Governor Stein Highlights Need for More Education Investments at NC School Boards Association Annual Conference

Today Governor Stein joined the North Carolina School Boards Association Annual Conference to celebrate North Carolina's educators and highlight the need for greater investments in public education. In July, Governor Stein signed into law a budget that raised average teacher pay by 8% - the largest average teacher pay raise in 20 years - and increased starting teacher pay by 17%, the largest starting teacher pay raise in nearly 50 years. However, in 2025, North Carolina ranked last in the nation in school funding effort.

"Our children are our future, so no investment has a stronger return. Unfortunately, if we're investing toward the bottom of all 50 states, we will struggle to consistently produce students who are at the top," said Governor Josh Stein. "I thank the North Carolina School Boards Association for its work to support North Carolina students and teachers. We must continue investing in students, teachers, and classrooms so every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential."

The budget expands the Advanced Teaching Roles program to more schools across the state, creating opportunities for excellent teachers to stay in the classroom while developing leadership experience. It also creates more pipelines into the classroom through the TeachReadyNC program, which authorizes schools to start apprenticeships into teaching careers. It strengthens early literacy by expanding diagnostic reading assessments and literacy intervention plans in elementary grades and providing Science of Reading training for middle school teachers.

To improve math achievement, the budget funds screening assessments and Mathematics Success Plans for students in the state's low-performing schools from kindergarten through eighth grade to ensure every child is performing at a high level. It also supports AI literacy in classroom instruction, helping enhance and support the learning experience. Further, the budget enhances statewide school safety initiatives by funding targeted security upgrades - such as cameras, door locks, fencing, and detection equipment.

Although the General Assembly's budget accepted many of Governor Stein's recommendations, it did not take up other of his proposals for investing in students and families. These include providing free school breakfast for all North Carolina students, eliminating veteran teachers' pay plateaus to retain experienced teachers, strengthening per-pupil investments such as increasing funding for students with disabilities in public schools, and increasing funding for school facility repair and renovation. He will continue to advocate for these needs.