Teachers react to pay raise in new state budget

North Carolina's new state budget includes a significant starting salary increase for new teachers, with raises averaging 8% and $12.5 billion allocated to K-12 education. However, veteran teachers criticize the raises as insufficient, with some experiencing a 5.5% increase that fails to keep pace with inflation. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board Chair called the raises a 'great start,' but noted starting salaries still fall short of a living wage in Charlotte.