The Charleston County School District is kicking off the new school year with fully staffed classrooms, thanks in part to a strategic increase in teacher pay and added benefits for district employees.
Higher Salaries Attract Teachers
Bill Briggman, the district’s Chief Human Resources Officer, credits the increase in starting teacher salaries for the district’s ability to fill positions early. Teachers are starting at nearly $65,000 a year, about $15,000 more than the average starting salary in many South Carolina districts.
“We started talking about teacher pay back in January, with a goal of offering competitive salaries, and it paid off by July,” Briggman said.
Special Education Success
One of the major achievements this year is the full staffing of special education positions. Briggman, who has worked in the district for 25 years, noted that special education is often the hardest field to fill, with 74 vacancies last year. This year, however, all special education positions have been filled, marking a significant milestone for the district.
Childcare for Employees
In addition to higher pay, the district’s effort to offer childcare options for employees has made it more attractive to teachers, especially those with young children. “Childcare costs are extremely high, especially for new parents, and this is a huge support for our teachers,” Briggman said. This initiative helps teachers focus on their profession without the stress of juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet.
With all teaching positions, teaching assistant roles, and special education vacancies filled, Charleston County is starting the school year strong. Students head back to school on Tuesday, and the district’s efforts to improve compensation and support for employees are already showing positive results.
