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Caroline schools outline expanded recruiting and pay changes to fill teacher vacancies
Summary
Caroline County Public Schools reported a multi-pronged recruitment push and retention measures — including J‑1 exchanges, sign‑on bonuses and a 3% across‑the‑board pay increase — aimed at closing dozens of certified vacancies before the 2025–26 school year.
Caroline County Public Schools officials on June 11 told the school board they have broadened recruiting and retention strategies to fill certified vacancies for the 2025–26 school year, from job‑fair outreach to visa hires and targeted pay increases.
The human resources presenter said the division has attended more than 20 college and community job fairs, increased social‑media recruitment, used virtual platforms such as Handshake, held alternative licensure events and participated in the J‑1 visa teacher exchange program that brought eight teachers from the Philippines this year.
The presentation, given to Chair Calvin Taylor and the board, listed remaining openings by school and position. Caroline High School began the hiring season with 19 certified vacancies; 11 had been filled and eight remained open, including four special‑education roles, a Spanish teacher, a math teacher, an English teacher and an ASL teacher. The presenter said offers were outstanding for the ASL role and that principals were interviewing additional J‑1 candidates.
At Caroline Middle School the division said it hired 11 certified staff and one long‑term substitute enrolled in a teacher program; three vacancies remained, including a director of counseling, a science teacher and a librarian. Bowling Green Elementary, Lewis and Clark and Madison Elementary each had multiple remaining certified vacancies, with some roles covered by long‑term substitutes who are completing certification.
For retention, the division listed a 3% salary increase for all staff for 2025–26 (inclusive of step), scale adjustments for paraprofessionals, custodians and food‑service workers, a signing/retention bonus for contracts signed by May 23, expanded supplemental benefits (legal, identity‑theft, student‑loan counseling, long‑term care) and preschool opportunities for staff at the three elementary schools beginning in fall 2025. The HR presenter also described monthly in‑school HR office hours and a redesigned onboarding experience.
Board members praised the HR and instructional teams. Dr. Sarah Kalverick, superintendent of schools, and others thanked staff for weekly staffing reviews and noted that some vacancies were previously covered by long‑term substitutes who will not return.
Board discussion included requests for continued monthly updates on remaining vacancies and thanks for staff recruiting work over the summer.
Officials did not commit to dates for filling each position beyond the ongoing interviews and offers noted in the presentation; dollar amounts tied specifically to recruitment (sign‑on bonuses) were discussed in general but not listed school‑by‑school in the presentation.
