The legislature approved the raises as part of the state budget, but school districts must also fund matching raises and bonuses for locally funded employees.
During a school board work session, members discussed recommendations to address a $17.6 million funding gap created after the state approved an average 8% raise for teachers, along with one-time bonuses ranging from $500 to $1,750.
According to district leaders, Wake County Public Schools had anticipated a 3% raise and must now make up the difference.
The discussion comes during what district officials described as an already challenging budget season.
Parents attending the meeting expressed frustration with the prospect of additional cuts.
"I wanted to talk about how sickening and disappointing it is that we have to hear about public school deficits and cuts," one parent told the board.
Board Chair Tyler Swanson acknowledged the challenge facing the district.
"This is concerning making additional cuts," Swanson said.
Superintendent Robert Taylor said the district has historically planned for a smaller increase until state lawmakers finalize compensation decisions.
"As we've done over the past several years, plan for a 3% raise. And we know that finally with the General Assembly, those can be above or below that. And so we look at this as a good problem," Taylor said.
Among the proposed reductions is a decrease in the per-pupil allotment schools receive for operating costs, a move expected to save about $500,000.
District leaders are also considering another reduction in funding for Restart Schools, which are lower-performing schools working toward improvement. The program's budget was previously reduced this year.
Swanson said he does not support that recommendation.
"Those restart schools need as much support as we as they can," Swanson said. "Just because they are a low performing school does not mean that teaching and learning does not take place in those schools. So I want to do everything that we can to protect those schools."
Another proposal would eliminate a planned 1% increase to the local salary supplement for teachers, a move that would save $1.9 million.
The supplement is paid in addition to teachers' base salaries. District officials said the 1% increase would amount to about $7 to $14 per month for most educators.
Swanson said even a small reduction could have an impact.
"In this economy and with the rise of inflation, yes, we have to do what we can to ensure that all of our teachers are having you know, are getting paid for the work that they do but that is $7 that it's a pay deduction," he said.
Board members are expected to continue discussing the recommendations when they meet again in two weeks.
"I think we will have some healthy discussion about what we want to see and how we can minimize impact to teaching and learning in the classroom," Swanson said.
District leaders said the goal is for teachers to receive their raises in September paychecks. Back pay for July and August would be issued in October, and the one-time bonuses must be paid by Oct. 31.
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