NCAE members are bracing for the impact of the State Health Plan Board’s decision last week to raise healthcare premiums for state employees in 2026. Let’s be clear: raising health premiums without a state budget or pay raises is a pay cut for educators. Educators will take home less this school year, than they did last year, without a significant raise.
Those of us in the classroom are already paying more for groceries, gas, and rent. North Carolina teachers also spend more than $1,000 out of pocket for school supplies, according to a recent report. Now we’ll also be paying anywhere from $120 to over $1,000 more a year just to keep our health insurance.
Think about what that means for schools. We’re already facing historic vacancies in classrooms and support roles. Every time costs go up without a raise, more educators are pushed out of a profession they can no longer afford. That makes it harder to keep schools fully staffed and harder for students to get the support they need.
North Carolina is already behind our neighboring states when it comes to pay. Add in higher healthcare costs, and we’ll lose even more teachers, bus drivers, counselors, and support staff. North Carolina can’t recruit or retain the workforce our students deserve if lawmakers keep balancing the books on the backs of underpaid public school employees.
This isn’t just about doing right by educators—it’s about the stability of our communities and our economy. Strong public schools require a strong, respected workforce. That means:
- Passing a budget that provides real raises.
- Ensuring affordable healthcare for all public employees.
- Investing in the people who serve the vast majority of our state’s children.
I hope you’ll stand with us and make sure lawmakers deliver a budget that protects both paychecks and classrooms.
