CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The Classroom Teachers Association (CTA) held a rally Wednesday afternoon in front of Independence High school demanding a raise.
Nearly 30 teachers showed up. They want county commissioners to help pay for a three percent raise.
Teachers say they deserve it
"The county has always wanted this to be the best school system in the nation," CTA President Judy Kidd said. "And we have worked very hard to do so."
Teachers are going on four years without a teacher raise. That absence is beginning to take a toll on teachers' family life.
"My husband and I are putting up options," Independence HS Teacher Jessica Johnson said. "And not want to leave the family I have here (Independence HS), but it's going to come down to am I going to get the money I need to survive and make my household a happy place."
Johnson has been teaching at Independence HS for five years. She's only received a raise once since then.
"It is a frustration that has come about," Johnson said. "Not feeling supported or appreciated."
County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph says he is for teacher raises but believes teachers should not direct their frustrations to county commissioners.
"Every year there is a frenzy that's whipped up by a group of people misdirected," County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph said. "And quite frankly barking up the wrong tree, if they are barking at the commissioners."
Pendergraph believes the state should be responsible for funding raises. And he thinks Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) should find the money to pay for a raise.
CMS found enough money to pay for a 1.6% raise but not a 3% raise.
Teachers are ready to fight back at the polls. They say if commissioners don't take care of them when it comes to raises, they threaten not to take care of them when election rolls around.
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