GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Gadsden County School District is searching for "certified teachers" to put in classrooms this fall, but the teachers' union says the bigger issue is keeping teachers from leaving the county.
School's out for students, but teachers have a busy summer ahead of them.
The district held its annual job fair Tuesday, hoping to find quality educators for next year.
"We're trying to get teachers in place and then, we try to support them the very best we can to make sure that they're successful in the classroom -- and when they're successful, then our students are successful," said Dr. Pink Hightower.
Dr. Pink Hightower is the district's human resource director. On May 25, he gave instructions to principals on how to handle vacancies and what to tell teachers who were not asked to return.
"The letter, I think, was very distasteful, and it just speaks to how they value teachers," said Ronte Harris, the president of the Gadsden County Classroom Teachers' Association.
The president of the teachers' union shared the letter on social media. A portion of the email indicates principals didn't owe outgoing teachers an explanation.
"Bosses give blanket statements," said Harris. "Instructional leaders encourage, and they train teachers and they empower them to go back the next year and be better."
Superintendent Roger Milton was out of town Tuesday, but told us over the phone that the letter was a "standard notice" and its content was "nothing new."
The district said it's already made some hires for the new school year. The goal is to have a certified teacher in every classroom, but the district admits that's a challenge.
"It's difficult to recruit nationwide, statewide, and certainly here in this region -- but what we'd like to say to those who are still looking for jobs is that we still have vacancies and look to Gadsden," said Dr. Hightower. "We would love to have you."
"It's early in the summer now," said Harris. "So, as soon as they find a job in a different county that's paying more money, they're going to leave us."
The district has provided incentives lately. This past year, teachers earned a $750 bonus, and next year, they'll earn 5 percent raises.
"You need somebody there that's willing to work with the students and willing to have an instructional leader who's willing to work with them," said Harris.
This week, the teachers' union filed grievances with the school district on behalf of 10 teachers regarding the evaluation process.
The district said it will continue to recruit talent from statewide and around the region.
