Dare County Board of Education opposes proposed state insurance premium increase for employees

The Dare County Board of Education on a voice vote adopted a resolution opposing a proposed increase in health insurance premiums for state employees without corresponding salary increases.

The resolution, read aloud at the meeting by board member Mister Payne, said the board “formally opposes the proposed increase in insurance premiums for state employees without corresponding salary increases” and asked the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina General Assembly and Governor Josh Stein to prioritize competitive compensation and fully funded benefits for public school employees.

The board discussed the draft in advance and reviewed minor edits prepared by staff. Mister Payne moved to adopt the resolution and Miss Lloyd seconded. The board chair called for a voice vote; all present responded “aye,” and the motion carried.

Nut graf: Board members framed the resolution as a response to broader statewide trends the text cites — rising benefit costs alongside stagnant pay — which the resolution says are worsening recruitment and retention challenges for teachers and other school staff.

In the meeting, Superintendent Bass Knight thanked the board on behalf of staff for taking up the issue. The resolution will be signed by the board chair and transmitted to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the North Carolina General Assembly and the governor, per the resolution’s text.

Ending: Board members said they expect the signed resolution to be delivered to state officials in the coming days. No further formal actions on the underlying state benefit proposal were recorded at the meeting.