MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- After Union County Public School teachers staged an October "sick out" and a November demonstration all calling for better pay, they're set to receive a $1,000 supplemental bonus.

It’ll be retroactive to July 2025. With that, over the last two years, teachers have received $2,150 in pay boosts.

"Which is the only and largest two-year increase during my tenure as superintendent," said the district’s leader, Dr. Andrew Houlihan.

The board members' decision Thursday night moves the district from 37th in North Carolina for teacher pay to 18th.

While educators and their supporters are grateful for the supplemental increase, they say it's still not enough for a district that routinely ranks highly in the state.

"A reminder that it is only but after you pay

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