Reporter’s Note
Are you starting your first-year teaching this year? Are you or do you know a teacher who is new to Hamilton County? What are you most excited about? We want to hear from you! Email mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6592.
– Meghan
THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
With barely two weeks until the first day of school in Hamilton County, educators, parents and students are busy.
Hamilton County district leaders are especially busy this week, as they get brand new teachers ready for their debut in the classroom.
Luckily for those district leaders, thanks to the efforts of the district’s human resources department and a new three-year induction plan for new teachers, more early-career teachers are returning to the classroom.
Keeping those teachers in the classroom the longer they’ve been there remains a challenge, and it might not get easier for the district.
While school districts across the state, including neighboring counties, are raising teacher pay this year, the Hamilton County school board is considering a variety of ways to bring a balanced budget to the county commission this year.
One of those proposals includes a one-time $1500 bonus, but does away with the 2.5% raise proposed earlier this summer.
The Hamilton County Education Association, the local teachers’ union, and the district’s collaborative conferencing team is expected to speak out Wednesday. What they have to say about the budget proposals is yet to be seen.
Meanwhile, the district will be unveiling the preliminary results of a $500,000 facilities audit at a joint meeting with the county commission this morning . Officials have hinted all summer that the cost of deferred maintenance in the district could be close to – or more than – $1 billion.
As always, follow the Times Free Press and @memangrum on Twitter for breaking news updates and keep reading for these stories and more!