Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Plan $15,000 Bonus Program for Math Teachers at Low-Income Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools just unveiled a new plan. Math teachers at Title I high schools could earn up to $15,000 in bonuses by improving student test scores.
The program focuses on 32 Math I teachers across 14 schools with predominantly low-income students. Leaders aim to boost the current 27% of high-performing students to 57% over five years.
“The Math I Excellence Bonus is an incentive designed to increase the quality of math instruction and reward educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching,” CMS executive director of federal programs Elenia Daniels said to the Charlotte Observer at Tuesday’s board meeting. “This bonus is for teachers who have demonstrated the ability to move the needle in terms of student outcomes.”
To earn these bonuses, teachers need to meet several requirements. They must have four years of teaching experience, show evidence of improved student performance, and get their principal’s approval.
The initiative will impact roughly 960 students from struggling families. The district will use Title I federal funding to cover these teacher incentives.
During recent meetings, board members voiced concerns about focusing only on math teachers. Some worry the extra money could create division among staff instead of unity.
But questions remain about the program’s future. With changing politics and leadership, the district’s substantial $73 million Title I budget faces uncertainty.
Money worries go beyond bonuses. The district is looking at a $6 million cut to teacher development funds. Officials must present their budget solutions by March 25.
If federal money runs out, the district will need to find alternative funding quickly. These backup options would maintain both the bonus program and key services in struggling schools.
