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District reports lower teacher vacancies than state average; recruitment, bonuses credited
Summary
Human Resources presented a teacher supply and demand report showing vacancies reduced from September to January, continued international hires and retention goals supported by bonuses and recruitment events.
Chester County School District officials told trustees that teacher vacancies have declined since September and that the district compares favorably to statewide vacancy figures.
Human Resources Director Wendell Sumpter presented the teacher supply and demand report, which used 2023–24 data with updates for the current year. The district reported 13.5 full‑time equivalent vacancies in September and reduced that to seven vacancies by Jan. 23 (figures fluctuate day to day). The district said it had 66 departures in 2023–24 and 88 new hires for 2024–25, including 45 international teachers and transfers from other South Carolina districts. The district noted that a previous year’s virtual teachers were replaced by in‑person hires, accounting for some of the new‑hire numbers.
Sumpter said retention efforts—including a $25,100 bonus (noted by staff earlier), a $1,000 loyalty bonus and district pay competitiveness—contributed to improved staffing. The district is focusing future recruitment on high‑demand subjects (math, science, special education) and scheduled a recruitment fair the coming Saturday at Chester Middle School with more than 110 registrants at the time of the report.
Board members asked whether virtual teachers count as vacancies; Sumpter confirmed virtual teachers are counted as vacancies for the comparison. The HR presentation said about 30% of current staff had less than one year of service and highlighted retention and professional development as focus areas.
