Aiken County school district working to fill teacher vacancies

Stephanie Hill, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jul. 9—As the start of the 2022-23 school year approaches, Aiken County Public School District is working to fill vacancies throughout the district.

There are currently 95 vacancies at several schools, said Jennifer Hart, the chief officer of Human Resources and Administration for ACPSD. Positions that need to be filled include grades 5K-fifth, English, math and science in middle schools and high schools, and more.

"Special education teachers are the greatest areas of need, though there are needs in other areas such as art, band, business, physical education and social studies," Hart said.

Some of the positions have been open for a few months, with others being open for a few days. Hart said there is a struggle to fill the positions because there is a shortage of teachers nationwide.

With school scheduled to start on Aug. 15, Hart said there are plans in place if the positions aren't filled.

"Administrators at each school are making plans to cover classrooms based on the resources available within their buildings," Hart said. "In addition, we have partnered with Kelly Education Services to provide substitute teaching services. They are actively recruiting as well."

To help bring in teachers, in February the Aiken County Board of Education approved a monetary sign-on bonus for newly hired teachers at high-need schools and in certain subject areas. Hart said the eligible schools were determined due to having difficulty filling vacant positions in the past and having a critical need.

Teachers who are hired to work at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School, Busbee Elementary School, Greendale Elementary School, North Aiken Elementary School, Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle School, A.L. Corbett Middle School, Ridge Spring-Monetta High School and Wagener-Salley High School would receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus, Hart said. If a teacher is hired for special education, middle school math or high school math, they will receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus.