FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence School District Three is advertising for jobs on billboards near local colleges.
Director of Human Resources, Angelia Barr Scott, said the district has a severe teacher shortage.
“We’re facing the shortage that we’re seeing across the state, really across the nation at this point,” said Barr Scott. “We are a smaller district, so we wanted to make sure that individuals knew that this wonderful little gem was right here.”
Barr Scott said the district spent roughly $6,000 on advertisements through, social media, a digital campaign, and billboards.
“The state has begun to see a shortage over the last three to five years,” she said. “I think everyone is really feeling the shortage.”
The Director of Human Resources said the billboards went up in February and March.
“We actually put up several billboards in the local area,” she said. “The ones that we actually targeted were outside of local universities like Coastal Carolina University, Francis Marion University, and Columbia College.”
Barr Scott said each billboard cost $1,500, and are targeted for college students. She said the district currently has roughly 300 certified staff members
“We’re looking to fill about 30 vacancies,” Barr Scott said. “We’re in need of art teachers, drama teachers, music teachers, and physical education.”
Barr Scott said the district is especially in need of special education teachers.
She said the district is offering several incentives for teachers including a multi-tiered mentor program, and a tuition assistance program.
“We currently have about 25 to 30 individuals that are getting their masters degree, and the district is paying for that” said Barr Scott.
Barr Scott said the district will also offer salary supplements for special education teachers.
“Our goal is to support every one of our teachers,” she said. “At this point, we’re attempting to fill the jobs now for the 2018-2019 school year.”
Barr Scott said applications are still open for positions within the district.
