This week’s primary election largely highlighted just how consequential each vote can be and reflected a public demanding change. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) presented its State of the Teaching Profession and School Administration Report at this week’s State Board of Education meeting, showing relatively steady teacher attrition rates.
North Carolina’s Primary Election
WUNC reported several incumbents losing their primaries this week, signaling possible constituent dissatisfaction with outcomes from the General Assembly’s long session. One race that reflects this dynamic is among the highest profile contests in the state–Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and his challenger, Sheriff Sam Page (Senate District 26). Current vote totals show Berger trailing by two votes, though the final outcome will likely hinge on a recount and potential legal challenges.
Leadership in the General Assembly plays a critical role in determining which bills move forward and how priorities are set. Senator Berger also works with House Speaker Destin Hall to negotiate and advance a state budget–an effort that remains at an impasse. Ongoing disagreements over tax cuts and teacher salaries remain a central concern, particularly as North Carolina ranks last in the nation in education funding effort.
Teacher Attrition Largely Holds Steady
North Carolina’s teacher attrition rate increased slightly this year–a 0.23 percentage point rise over the previous reporting period. DPI’s report shows that attrition varies across local education agencies and years of experience, with higher rates among teachers in their first five years and those nearing retirement–patterns consistent with prior years.
The report also highlights changes in both vacancy rates and pathways into teaching. More than 6,700 teaching positions were not filled by a certified teacher on the 40th day of the 2025-26 school year, down from more than 7,100 the previous year. At the same time, schools reported roughly 2,600 fewer positions overall, reflecting enrollment declines across school systems that lead to reduced state per-student funding. Special education, math, and science remain the hardest positions to fill, though staffing challenges are increasingly emerging in other subject areas as well.
Teacher recruitment and retention challenges cannot be examined without considering salary and working conditions. North Carolina now ranks 43rd in the nation for teacher pay–down five spots from the previous year–and 39th in beginning teacher pay. Attracting and retaining qualified professionals becomes increasingly difficult when salaries fail to keep pace with the cost of living. At the same time, the 2024 Teacher Working Conditions Survey showed that about 90% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their school is “a good place to work and learn.” If results are similar this year, the message will remain clear: many teachers value their schools and communities, but too often cannot afford to stay in a profession that undervalues their work.
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