Wake County school leaders discuss plan to try to keep teachers
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Wake County School District is trying to find a way to keep teachers. ABC11 has shared stories of more and more educators choosing to leave the state over what they call low pay.
"I do hear, underneath all this, the frustration with our resources. We have scarce resources. How are we going to retain teachers when we are at the bottom of the pay scale? How are we going recruit the best and brightest to stay in teaching? So both of those frustrations and hope is going on in this discussion about strategic plan," said Wake County School Board Chair Christine Kuschner.
The district is working over the next five months to come up with a five-year strategic plan on how to move the district forward. Teacher retention is a top priority. A consultant was brought in to meet with board members and give ideas.
One suggestion he stressed was to set up an educational retention program, similar to what companies like Google and Microsoft have to keep their workforce intact. Board members are entertaining the idea of setting aside district funds for the program.
"We absolutely have to have a strong teaching force, a strong support staff for us in order to teach our kids what they need to know for the 21st century," said Kuschner.
The district is hoping to further the discussion of teacher retention and other issues impacting schools at an upcoming town hall meeting. A forum is being held Wednesday, August 6 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Jane S. McKimmon Center on North Carolina State University campus.
