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Kannapolis school board will consider taking pay cut
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Published: June 24, 2009
KANNAPOLIS — Members of the Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education said they want to do the right thing in tough economic times and take a pay cut for the next fiscal year, beginning on July 1.
The board plans to discuss on Thursday taking a 7.5 percent pay cut from the $500 to $600 a month members receive.
"We feel a need to do that since others have been asked to take a pay cut," said Danita Rickard, school board chairwoman. "It's the least we can do."
All North Carolina state employees and teachers were told to take a half percent pay cut in April.
Board members first discussed the pay cut at a special meeting prior to the A.L. Brown High School graduation earlier this month. Rickard said members were all in agreement to take a cut and would have passed it then, but they were waiting to find out the proper procedures for doing so.
This month, the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education approved taking a voluntary 7.5 percent pay cut for the next fiscal year. Rickard said she and other members heard about this and were interested in doing the same.
Rickard and Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education Chairwoman Holly Blackwelder regularly communicate, and she asked Blackwelder for advice. Blackwelder advised speaking to the financial department.
"It's my understanding that we can just handle (the pay cut) through the payroll and ask (the finance department) to just pay us 7.5 percent less," Rickard said.
Board members have not yet voted on the pay cut or decided what specific area they would use the money.
"The point of (the pay cut) is to help the school system," said board member Todd Adams. "When we see what the final budget is, we can see where we need it, like for salaries, classroom supplies or technology."
Currently, school systems across North Carolina are waiting to hear what the budget cuts from state funding may be. School systems have been told cuts may be 11 percent.
"I would think we'd wait and see where we need (the pay cut money), depending on what we receive from the state," Rickard said.
The board will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the administrative office. Several board members said they expect to vote on and pass the pay cut.
Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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