CHARLOTTE,  NC –A step in the right direction is how members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education describes the proposed minimum wage increase for school employees to $20 per hour. The proposed wage increase would be for non-teacher employees. “This is the most economical way we can start moving the needle for those that support our students in the right direction,” said BOE Chair, Stephanie Sneed. The plan to raise minimum wage to $20 per hour was presented to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education on Tuesday. The proposal that costs just over $25 million, is already in the budget. As of now, nearly 3,900 employees including janitors, bus drivers and teachers assistants make less than $20 per hour. If approved, those employees would be paid retroactively to July 1st of last year. The proposal does not include teachers salaries. The pay increase sounds nice but Board of Education member, Summer Nunn, says it’s not enough. A study shows you have to make at least $24 per hour to be able to live in Charlotte. “The fact that our teachers, as well as our bus drivers, our teacher’s assistants, our nutritional staff can’t really afford comfortable living, unless they’re married, on those salaries is not good,” said Nunn. The board found out many non-teachers working at CMS schools are unable to live in the county they work and commute from surrounding counties. Sneed said this wage increase will attract and keep qualified employees.