NC teachers unhappy with bonus cuts lobby for more

RALEIGH — Teachers across North Carolina are contacting lawmakers as well as the state’s largest teachers’ group in hopes of preventing future cuts in their annual performance bonuses.

Hundreds have called and e-mailed former teacher and Democratic Sen. Steve Goss, persuading him to work on legislation to restore the 30 percent cut taken from 2007-08 bonuses. Most teachers didn’t know this year’s cut was coming.

The state has granted bonuses for 11 years at the maximum amount allocated by law, an amount based on schools’ growth and performance on standardized tests. The incentive money awarded for 2007-2008 should appear in checks this month for eligible school staff.

Goss said the wording of the law outlining the program is unclear, and he wants it changed so teachers receive the amount they were told to expect. He fears there could be long-term issues with retaining and hiring new teachers if the bonuses aren’t paid.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)