Steve and Kathy Compton: Well-hidden pay

Regarding the Dec. 16 letter “McCrory’s commitment to teachers”: According to Lee H. Roberts and Catherine Truitt, in addition to a one-time $750 bonus, North Carolina teachers will see “about $5,000 per year more than last year,” meaning “the average teacher will receive total compensation worth well over $60,000 for a 10-month contract.” Now, Paul Stam, in his Dec. 31 letter “Stepping up for teachers,” says that over two years the average state teacher salary has seen a 10.92 percent increase.

Our two children and two daughters-in-law who are North Carolina teachers – each one has been honored as teacher of the year – are looking for the money. I suspect it’s hidden somewhere in the “benefits” and “averages,” but it doesn’t seem to be making its way into many teachers’ bank accounts where it matters most.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Steve and Kathy Compton: Well-hidden pay."