Burke County Public Schools
Helpful Resources from Human Resources - November 2019
State Budget Update from Keith Lawson - Finance Director
As most of you are aware, as of November 15, 2019, we still have no state budget. However, mini-bill H377 has been passed by our state legislators and signed into law by the Governor. This bill allows for step increases for Certified staff (many will see a small wage increase as a result) as well as increases for Principals and Assistant Principals. These increases are retroactive to July 1, 2019. A copy of H377 is attached for your reference.
The Department of Public Instruction, due to the timing of this bill passage, is allowing school districts to delay this implementation until December. Dr. Putnam wishes for Burke to implement immediately and not delay the increase, however small it may be. All adjustments, retroactive to July 1, will be reflected on your November paycheck. Please know that the Payroll Department will be working diligently from now until payday to see this implementation through.
It is our hope that the Legislators will pass a state budget soon. We will keep you notified of any progress.
What are the benefits of being a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in NC?
Financial Incentives
In North Carolina, NBCTs move to a new salary schedule upon achieving National Board Certification, resulting in a 12 percent salary increase.
State Recognition
The state grants full licensure renewal to all teachers completing the National Board Certification process, regardless of achievement. In addition, the state grants three days of release time to initial candidates who are eligible.
Educational Credits
Upon completion of the certification process, teachers who are in the 10-year National Board renewal cycle will earn two credits (one for content and one for literacy).
Click here for information on how to begin the National Board Certification process.
Teachers can now check their CEU's by logging into their TimeKeeper account.
Attached below are the CEU requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Please notice that teachers are required to earn 2.0 CEU's of digital learning credit.
CEU's have to be counted during the year they were earned. Often teachers ask if CEU credits they earned can be counted for their next renewal cycle. Unfortunately, this is not allowable. The only exception to this is CEU's earned for obtaining National Board certification.
Do you have a certificate that needs to be added to your CEU report? Click here for the step by step directions on how to submit your certificate.
An appointment is required for any employee that needs to change their legal name. After an employee receives their new driver's license and social security card, they can contact Tammy Huffman at 439-4322 to schedule an appointment to officially change their name with Burke County Public Schools.
Human Resources Directory
Rocky Epley - Licensure and NCEES 439-4301
Tammy Huffman - Benefits (Health Insurance), Frontline (AESOP), and Substitutes 439-4322
Penny Smith - FMLA, Retirement and Worker's Comp 439-4300
When emailing, please use - pmsmith@burke.k12.nc.us.
There are two Penny Smith's employed with Burke County Public Schools.
Debbie Story - Transcripts, Volunteers and CEU's 439-4323
Department of Human Resources
Website: www.burke.k12.nc.us
Location: 700 East Parker Road, Morganton, NC, USA
Phone: 828-439-4323
Twitter: @BCPS_HR