In January 2022, North Carolina teachers received a $1,000 bonus, as well as an additional $300 that is repurposed money for merit-based bonuses. Principals got an $1,800 bonus. This is all awesome and well deserved. We applaud the NC legislature and Governor Roy Cooper for this.

However assistant principals were overlooked and got no bonus from this money. Nothing. Assistant principals are some of the hardest working people on the campus. They are usually the first on campus and the last to leave. Buses, substitute teaching, custodial work, testing, and a myriad of other things happen because assistant principals make it happen. We are an integral part of every part of school life.

We deserve to have compensation just as our colleagues. Why was a provision not made for assistant principals? What is the thinking here? Are we not as important as other administrators?  Surely we matter and we are deserving. We were just overlooked and NC needs to make it right!