Asheboro Chamber’s Teacher Recruitment Program a Success
asheboro/randolph chamber of commerce, george gusler, randolph county school, success,
Recruiting and keeping exceptional teachers in the public school system is a national issue of critical importance. Improved salaries notwithstanding‚ what else can a community do to attract teachers?
The Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce initiated a program that seems to be working‚ and area public school systems are reaping the benefits.
Four years ago‚ the Chamber of Commerce created a coalition with the Asheboro City and Randolph County school systems‚ Randolph Community College and local businesses called “Partnership for Success.”
The program offers a variety of incentives to attract teachers to the community‚ including discounts from about 20 area businesses and assistance in finding a residence.
“The program is a win-win for everyone involved‚” says George Gusler‚ executive vice president of the Asheboro/ Randolph Chamber of Commerce. “The community gets new teachers and area businesses get new customers.”
Some of the incentives offered exclusively for new teachers include:
* Deposit waivers on apartment rentals from Summers Run Apartments and Hanover Court Apartments
* A 50 percent reduction in real estate commission charges on a home purchased from Wilson Realty within the first year of employment
* A $100 discount off mortgage closing costs from First Carolina Mortgage
* Complimentary checking with no minimum balance‚ credit card‚ safe deposit box (subject to availability) and free ATM service at a variety of local banks (Branch Bank & Trust‚ First Citizens Bank‚ Randolph Bank & Trust‚ Central Carolina Bank‚ First National Bank‚ RBC Centura Bank and Wachovia Bank)
* A 10 percent discount on all purchases for 12 months at the Learning Connection
* Complimentary dinner for two at Blue Mist Bar-B-Que and Chik-Fil-A
* Complimentary six-month membership at Gold’s Gym
“These incentives enhance the school system’s ability to provide a quality education for our children‚” Gusler says.
Asheboro City School System Public Information Officer Carla Freemyer has seen the results firsthand. With eight schools and 314 certified teachers in the system‚ teacher recruitment is extremely competitive.
“As a whole‚ the teacher recruitment program has been very successful‚” she says. “Anything that can give us an edge is significant. It’s been very well received and gives new teachers a sense of what Asheboro is all about.”
The Randolph County School system also has participated in the program since its inception and has seen positive results‚ according to Amy Cagle‚ executive director of personnel for the school system. The district operates 27 schools with approximately 1‚100 certified teachers on staff.
“Applicants at job fairs and new teachers are very impressed‚” Cagle says. “They seem a little shocked and say they aren’t accustomed to this type of treatment from communities. The program is very positive and it shows the appreciation and respect the community has for the job the teachers are doing.”
Story by Caryn L. Stumpfl
Photo by Martin Bennett
