Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed a three percent raise for all employees July 25. The district also said that some employees would receive salary adjustments to more closely align their salaries with market rates.

The market-rate adjustments completed an initiative that began in 2007 to bring employee salaries up to market rates. Similar studies and adjustments have been completed by the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in recent years. CMS paused the multi-year plan for adjustments in 2008, when the national and regional economies  began to falter and funding declined sharply.

The adjustment calculations were based on a Deloitte study done in 2007 and were included in the 2012-2013 proposed budget first presented to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Jan. 10. District officials and the Board of Education said that the purpose of the adjustments was to keep CMS competitive and allow it to attract the strongest candidates.

The announcement followed unanimous approval of the 2012-2013 operating budget by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education at its July 24 meeting. An email announcing the salary increase and other changes was sent to all employees. The district also provided a full list of employees who received the market-rate adjustments and some frequently asked questions.