Board reviews revised Beginning Teacher Support Program; district reports low BT attrition

Davie County Schools staff presented a revised Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP) required by the State Board of Education and asked the board to review the plan for adoption at the next meeting.

Miss Haines and Jenna (BT coordinators) described a three-year induction model (BT1–BT3) that applies to all beginning teachers regardless of licensure pathway, with differentiated supports and weekly mentor contact for BT1 teachers. Mentor stipends were detailed: $100 per month for mentors of BT1 teachers, $50 for BT2, and $25 for BT3.

The plan emphasizes mentor selection, documented mentoring activities (mentor logs), onboarding for late hires, required observations and feedback (four observations and a peer observation per year), and program evaluation and state monitoring. "This plan is required by the North Carolina State Board of Education," presenters noted, and staff said local revisions clarify roles, expand onboarding for late hires and ensure compliance with state standards.

Jenna reported district beginning-teacher attrition at 4.26% for March 2023–March 2024, compared with the statewide beginning-teacher attrition rate of 12.92%, and framed that gap as evidence the district’s supports are working. Board members thanked staff and discussed mentor recruitment and stipend sustainability; staff said they actively recruit experienced teachers and supplement with retirees to meet demand.

The board will take formal action on the BTSP at its February meeting after members review the detailed plan in the packet.