NC teacher assistants wait to learn their fate

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- At 62 years old, Melinda Zarate is looking at early retirement and trying to figure out how she will pay all her bills. She wasn't planning to leave her job after 20 years, but a heated debate, with what she says will bring a bleak outcome, has forced her to make a tough decision.

"I'm just sort of disheartened. I'm just sad. I find myself crying and just sad because there are so many assistants all over the state that are waiting and waiting and waiting," said Zarate.

Zarate is a teacher's assistant in the Triad area and also the communications director for the North Carolina Teacher Assistants Association. She says she's fed up with the budget battle in the NC General Assembly over funding.

"I don't know if the legislators just think we're mostly a bunch a women that wanna have a little extra income to have our nails done and buy special purses, but that's not the case," said Zarate. "They're not just coming here and doing it for fun. They're doing it because they believe in helping."

About 8,500 TAs could soon receive pink slips under the Republican-led Senate budget proposal. Senate leaders want to reallocate the money on new teacher hires.

The cuts would bring the largest layoff in state history. In Wake County, NCATA estimates about 600 people could lose their jobs.

WCPSS wouldn't provide us a number. The district, however, did decide to bring back 2,200 TAs with the hope funding will remain the same

"The local systems have known that this is a debate that is ongoing and it was entirely possible for that funding for the teachers assistants is not going to be in the budget. They should have planned for that," said Senate Pro-Tem Sen. Phil Berger.

The House's version of the budget would essentially keep funding in place for the assistants.

"I appreciate the House holding their ground on us and saying 'We're not going to let you cut teacher's assistants,'" said Zarate. "But I feel like we're being used as part of a game as a pawn, and I feel that is unfair and cruel."

Zarate plans to leave the classroom at the end of September. She will continue working for the association and advocating for TAs.