GREENE COUNTY
Teacher recruitment and retention were important topics addressed relative to the charter renewal for Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) at its recent Board of Governors meeting.
An earlier amendment change requested by the Board of Education’s (BOE) charter draft calls for only those who work full-time at the school to have priority status for children to attend.
According to the Learning Policy Institute, the teacher shortage is real and growing in the United States. A recent report shares that there are acute challenges for schools to both recruit and more importantly retain teachers.
There is a high share of public school teachers who are either leaving or changing their posts. At least 13.8 percent are leaving their schools or leaving teaching as a profession, and a dwindling pool of applicants stretches the problem even further.
Due to its high-performing status in the county, LOA has offered children of teachers and staff, part-time and full-time, as a recruitment and retention tool. Those teachers and staff have a fast track for admission for their children that continues to attract necessary staff. The BOE claims that a law in place forbids enrollment for children of part-time staff.
“We know teacher recruitment and retention is a key thing, especially in rural areas,” LOA CEO Dr. Brad Bowling said. “It is hard to recruit. Having the ability to bring children here through a teacher’s employment is an attraction here. When we can, we offer this opportunity to bring students here as part of their employment.”
Chairman Michael Tompkins inquired as to the national trend of teacher employment.
“Are there things we can do here to help with attraction and retention?” he asked. “Schools that have positive climates, like we do here at LOA, teachers stick around. We want to do things with our teachers that are helpful.”
Bowling commented that local universities and professional affiliations that LOA can take advantage of are another way to help recruit.
The problem appears to be the interpretation of the law that specifies full-time or other as a fast track for admission for teacher’s children. Dick Schmidt, a local attorney and secretary of the board, asked for a clearer definition to the current law as the board feels it is too restrictive. A high number of students are children of current teachers. However, as teachers leave, the students often remain at LOA.
The second charter item identified as needing further discussion includes funding for students under the charter system. Currently, LOA claims there needs to be further review of ESPLOST funds granted as a charter school. Currently, LOA has access to $2 million over a five-year period. The school administration wants a 25 percent increase.
Board members have asked Bowling to meet with the BOE to facilitate further discussion on these items. Bowling commented that originally, there were 66 clarification items needed to solidify the charter, and now it has been dwindled down to these items.
“I am always optimistic,” he said. “We are getting close, making progress, and doing good. I would imagine we will know where we stand.”
The BOE has commented that the negotiations are going well, and LOA will shortly receive answers.
“The goal is to have an agreed upon petition ready and sent to the State Board of Education by the 19th of November,” said BOE Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston.