Uncertified Teachers Could Cost Charter Schools

RALEIGH, N.C. — Charter schools in North Carolina can be stripped of their funds if they fail to employ enough licensed teachers, according to a policy implemented by the Board of Education Thursday.

Charter schools, which are taxpayer-funded alternatives to public schools, are not held to the same standard of teacher certification as their public counterparts. Traditional public schools require every teacher to be licensed by the state or working towards that license. Only 75 percent of charter school teachers in elementary schools must be certified. In middle and high schools, 50 percent must be.

Under the new policy, charter schools that don't reach the requirements will face financial consequences.

If a school is falling short of the requirements at the start of the school year, state dollars will be withheld from the headmaster's salary.

If it falls short the following month, state dollars would also be withheld from the salary of the highest paid non-certified teacher.

If the school continues to fall short of the requirements for a third month, the state funding will be withheld from the next highest paid non-certified teacher.

Finally, if it still short as of Feb. 1, state officials would recommend closing the school at the end of the school year.