All Burke County teachers and staff will receive raises this year

Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) will spend about $923,000 of its own funds this year to extend state-mandated raises and bonuses to teachers and employees whose positions are not fully funded by the state.

Despite pressure on the district’s 2026-27 budget, it will not cause a deficit, said Financial Officer Keith Lawson.

“We were advised last year by the Office of State Budget Management to budget based on an anticipated 2.5% decrease in state funds based on their revenue projections,” Lawson said. “(But) revenues came well in excess of what they had anticipated.”

Lawson said because of this, the district had the funds to cover raises and bonuses for employees not funded by the state.

This does not include Superintendent Mike Swan. Swan’s contract with the Board of Education dictates his salary.

When North Carolina’s $34 billion 2026-27 budget came into effect, it included state-mandated pay raises for teachers and staff within school districts. Every teacher and staff member from custodians to department heads will receive prorated raises and bonuses as a result.

Teachers received an average 8% raise. Lawson said that starting pay for teachers jumped from $41,000 to $48,000.

But the state will only cover state-funded employees, Lawson said. The rest has to come from BCPS’ own budget.

A teacher, administrator, or other staff member’s salary could be funded by any combination of local supplement, state, federal, or grant money, Lawson said. Some receive pay from up to four different sources of funding.

Lawson said covering the bonus alone for locally funded employees will cost the district $250,000. The wage increase will cost an additional $77,000. Adding in the wage increase for teachers is another $404,000. For federally funded employees, it’s another $192,000.

Lawson is confident these permanent raises are doable for the district beyond the 2026-27 fiscal year.

“We have a great team and we’re proactive,” Lawson said. “We try to look as far ahead as you possibly can responsibly.”