Caffeinated Rage
@caffeinatedrage.bsky.social
A blog on education and politics in North Carolina.
The financial crisis in WSFCS started in 2017. Three years before the pandemic. Four superintendents ago. Three school boards ago. Four Chief Financial Officers ago. And lots of turnover.
And almost a hundred opening prayers of public school board meetings ago.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/09/b...
And almost a hundred opening prayers of public school board meetings ago.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/09/b...
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen” unless it is a school board meeting.
From Bible Hub, specifically Matthew 6:6: So here is another explanation of why the WSFCS school system went into so much debt: “Not long after we kicked God off the dais, as we may phrase it…
caffeinatedrage.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The financial crisis in WSFCS started in 2017. Three years before the pandemic. Four superintendents ago. Three school boards ago. Four Chief Financial Officers ago. And lots of turnover.
And almost a hundred opening prayers of public school board meetings ago.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/09/b...
And almost a hundred opening prayers of public school board meetings ago.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/09/b...
These are the same people who came at the request of Phil Berger, redrew congressional maps to gain an extra House seat, and passed it without debate – ALL WITHIN 48 HOURS – who can’t even get a state budget passed over the span of months.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/07/y...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/07/y...
You Lyin’ Son-of-a-Biscuit Eater. You’ve Had Over 12 Years To “Fix” Teacher Pay (& Public Education).
Take a look at this social media post. These are the same people who came at the request of Phil Berger, redrew congressional maps to gain an extra House seat, and passed it without debate – …
caffeinatedrage.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
These are the same people who came at the request of Phil Berger, redrew congressional maps to gain an extra House seat, and passed it without debate – ALL WITHIN 48 HOURS – who can’t even get a state budget passed over the span of months.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/07/y...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/07/y...
So a salary schedule that already has frozen steps that is still frozen in last year's budget constraints is supposed to accommodate a hike in health insurance costs for educators?
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/04/b...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/04/b...
Budget Process: Frozen. Salary Steps: Frozen. Insurance Premiums? NOT Frozen.
Remember that this state has yet to pass a new budget; therefore, educators are on the same salary schedule as last school year. And it is not likely we will see a new budget until the summer. It&#…
caffeinatedrage.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
So a salary schedule that already has frozen steps that is still frozen in last year's budget constraints is supposed to accommodate a hike in health insurance costs for educators?
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/04/b...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/12/04/b...
And she's part of that group that refuses to pass a new state budget.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/24/o...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/24/o...
One Thing To Not Be Thankful For In NC: Tricia Cotham
Remember when Tricia Cotham’s soulless exoskeleton offered something in that “lame chicken” session that occurred about one year ago: lies about the voucher scheme that had just siphoned off even m…
caffeinatedrage.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
And she's part of that group that refuses to pass a new state budget.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/24/o...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/24/o...
Ironic that the woman who calls us “nonprofessionals” wanted to be a “nonprofessional” herself.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/22/t...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/22/t...
The Woman Who Has No IDEA And Thinks AI Is Steak Sauce Says We Are Not Professional
When the top public education official in the country mistakes technology for a classic condiment, then you know that she has trouble identifying a professional. Also, remember that in a 2025 Fox N…
caffeinatedrage.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Ironic that the woman who calls us “nonprofessionals” wanted to be a “nonprofessional” herself.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/22/t...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/22/t...
No graduate degree pay. No due process rights. No collective bargaining rights. Frozen pay scales. No new state budget. No longevity pay.
Compare this to other states in the southeast and the nation.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/16/d...
Compare this to other states in the southeast and the nation.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/16/d...
Dear NC Teacher, Please Know This About Your State. AND TELL OTHERS!
In a state where there exists a supermajority in one chamber of the NC General Assembly and nearly another in the other chamber all while there is a governor from the opposite political party, then…
caffeinatedrage.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
No graduate degree pay. No due process rights. No collective bargaining rights. Frozen pay scales. No new state budget. No longevity pay.
Compare this to other states in the southeast and the nation.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/16/d...
Compare this to other states in the southeast and the nation.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/16/d...
Not long ago (2014) , teachers who served the state for at least ten years would receive what was called “longevity” pay as part of their commitment to public schools. In fact, all full-time state employees receive this – or did.
Teachers no longer get it.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/04/a...
Teachers no longer get it.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/04/a...
As We Wait For A New Budget, Remember That Teachers Used To Receive Longevity Pay
Not long ago (2014) , teachers who served the state for at least ten years would receive what was called “longevity” pay as part of their commitment to public schools. In fact, all full-time state …
caffeinatedrage.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Not long ago (2014) , teachers who served the state for at least ten years would receive what was called “longevity” pay as part of their commitment to public schools. In fact, all full-time state employees receive this – or did.
Teachers no longer get it.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/04/a...
Teachers no longer get it.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/11/04/a...
…they are leaving the profession.
And there are not enough people willing to replace them in our classrooms.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/20/d...
And there are not enough people willing to replace them in our classrooms.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/20/d...
Dear North Carolina, You Have Got To Start Treating Your Teachers Better Because…
…they are leaving the profession. And there are not enough people willing to replace them in our classrooms. When I say “Dear North Carolina,” I do not mean the NC General Assembl…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
…they are leaving the profession.
And there are not enough people willing to replace them in our classrooms.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/20/d...
And there are not enough people willing to replace them in our classrooms.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/20/d...
Take two teachers: one from X County and one from Y County. Both have the same number of years in the state system and each are on the same salary “step.”
Looks like one of those teachers is paying more for the same health plan benefits than the other.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/16/d...
Looks like one of those teachers is paying more for the same health plan benefits than the other.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/16/d...
Dear North Carolina Educator, Did You Know This About Your State Health Plan?
Remember that when the NC General Assembly wants to declare that the average teacher pay in North Carolina is a certain amount, they are not basing it on what the state base pay is. That average is…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Take two teachers: one from X County and one from Y County. Both have the same number of years in the state system and each are on the same salary “step.”
Looks like one of those teachers is paying more for the same health plan benefits than the other.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/16/d...
Looks like one of those teachers is paying more for the same health plan benefits than the other.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/16/d...
In short, public education has been metaphorically altered by man-made climate change. And just like actual climate change, we as a state and as a nation are approaching a tipping point where the effects of climate change will be irreversible.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/13/n...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/13/n...
North Carolina’s Man-Made Educational Climate Change
NASA’s Global Climate Change website is dedicated to educating people about human influence on the environment. Under the “Scientific Consensus” tab it states, “Multiple studies published in peer-r…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:59 AM
In short, public education has been metaphorically altered by man-made climate change. And just like actual climate change, we as a state and as a nation are approaching a tipping point where the effects of climate change will be irreversible.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/13/n...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/13/n...
And because those people in Raleigh who hold the majority in both chambers of the NC General Assembly have refused to pass a new budget, we have the same salary schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.
Like it’s frozen. Among other things.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/08/t...
Like it’s frozen. Among other things.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/08/t...
The State Budget Isn’t The Only Thing “Frozen” For Teachers & Schools
Here is the salary schedule that was in place for the 2024-2025 school year. And because those people in Raleigh who hold the majority in both chambers of the NC General Assembly have refused to pa…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
And because those people in Raleigh who hold the majority in both chambers of the NC General Assembly have refused to pass a new budget, we have the same salary schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.
Like it’s frozen. Among other things.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/08/t...
Like it’s frozen. Among other things.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/08/t...
Such a system does not really even properly measure the effectiveness of a school. Actually, those school performance grades as they are calculated measure nothing more than the very challenges that students and families face that affect one's ability to learn.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/06/g...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/06/g...
Go Ahead And Permanently Eliminate School Performance Grades
State Superintendent Mo Green and DPI are discussing possibly changing the school performance grading system. Again. This is not a new idea. It was talked about in 2024. And now… They don’t n…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Such a system does not really even properly measure the effectiveness of a school. Actually, those school performance grades as they are calculated measure nothing more than the very challenges that students and families face that affect one's ability to learn.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/06/g...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/06/g...
He was in office until less than five years ago.
Wonder what he would say about those salaries now.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/05/r...
Wonder what he would say about those salaries now.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/05/r...
Remembering When Mark Johnson Said…
Remember when Mark Johnson talked about how the teacher starting salary in NC was really good? January 26, 2018: During a question-and-answer session Thursday at the N.C. School Boards Association’…
caffeinatedrage.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
He was in office until less than five years ago.
Wonder what he would say about those salaries now.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/05/r...
Wonder what he would say about those salaries now.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/05/r...
And when that "permanent" hire enters office, WSFCS will have had six supers within about eight years.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/04/s...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/04/s...
So, We Have A New (Interim) Superintendent
Depending on when a permanent school superintendent is hired, WSFCS could have four different people occupying the top office in this system within the span of one and a half years (give or take a …
caffeinatedrage.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
And when that "permanent" hire enters office, WSFCS will have had six supers within about eight years.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/04/s...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/10/04/s...
When the same legislative body that votes for rate increases in utilities and health plans, but does not raise state employee salaries to at least offset those price increases, then the state is actively cutting pay for people like public school teachers.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/28/i...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/28/i...
It’s Really Just A Cut In Salary For Teachers
When the same legislative body that votes for rate increases in utilities and health plans for state employees, but does not raise state employee salaries to at least offset those price increases, …
caffeinatedrage.com
September 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
When the same legislative body that votes for rate increases in utilities and health plans, but does not raise state employee salaries to at least offset those price increases, then the state is actively cutting pay for people like public school teachers.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/28/i...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/28/i...
Teachers know the school system well. From the inside out.
That perspective has largely been missing from many school board meetings.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/27/e...
That perspective has largely been missing from many school board meetings.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/27/e...
Every Local School Board Should Allow A Public School Teacher To Serve
Many have asked me over the years if a teacher can be a school board member and still be in the classroom. At least in my LEA, one cannot. Many teachers over the years have run for positions on the…
caffeinatedrage.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Teachers know the school system well. From the inside out.
That perspective has largely been missing from many school board meetings.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/27/e...
That perspective has largely been missing from many school board meetings.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/27/e...
If you are a teacher in a public school, please know that your social media accounts are probably under more scrutiny than someone in the private sector. You already work in a highly politicized field in a highly polarized society.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/21/p...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/21/p...
Public School Teachers & Free Speech
In the last few years, public school teachers have been under a lot of unfair microscopes being examined with untrained eyes and arraigned in courts of public opinions by “experts” who …
caffeinatedrage.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:16 AM
If you are a teacher in a public school, please know that your social media accounts are probably under more scrutiny than someone in the private sector. You already work in a highly politicized field in a highly polarized society.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/21/p...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/21/p...
Consider that a teacher’s pension pretty much relies on the average pay he/she receives in the last four years of service as a public school teacher.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/15/w...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/15/w...
When $55,100 is Greater Than $79,157 – The NCGA’s Assault on Teacher Pension and Retirement
If a lawmaker in Raleigh is really being honest, then he/she would have to acknowledge that the revamped teacher salary scale and removal of graduate degree pay are ways to make sure that when teac…
caffeinatedrage.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Consider that a teacher’s pension pretty much relies on the average pay he/she receives in the last four years of service as a public school teacher.
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/15/w...
caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/15/w...
School shootings up by 14 this past month.
And school just started for many this month.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/12/s...)
And school just started for many this month.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/12/s...)
September 2025- Numbers To Consider
The most current numbers for the following: Average Gas Price Average Milk Price Average Egg Prices Average Bread Price Consumer Confidence Presidential Approval Rating Federal Interest Rate Dow Jo…
caffeinatedrage.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:25 AM
School shootings up by 14 this past month.
And school just started for many this month.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/12/s...)
And school just started for many this month.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/12/s...)
Remember that the same legislative body that could not pass a new budget this summer allowed for Duke Energy to raise its prices.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/07/t...)
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/07/t...)
caffeinatedrage.com
September 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Remember that the same legislative body that could not pass a new budget this summer allowed for Duke Energy to raise its prices.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/07/t...)
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/09/07/t...)
Imagine if Michelle Morrow had won her election. Teachers might be taking this as part of their "certification" to teach in our public schools.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/08/31/t...)
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/08/31/t...)
The Prager U “Teacher Integrity” Test
Prager University has received a few more mentions in these last few weeks, especially if you follow the saga of Oklahoma’s state super, Ryan Walters. This morning on his foundational blog, C…
caffeinatedrage.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Imagine if Michelle Morrow had won her election. Teachers might be taking this as part of their "certification" to teach in our public schools.
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/08/31/t...)
(caffeinatedrage.com/2025/08/31/t...)