​Increases, Groceries, Prizes: Supporting Rock Hill Schools Teachers

Aug 1, 2024

In the city of Rock Hill, the summer break was surpassed by a significant salary increase for educators. To improve faculty employment and contentment for the upcoming 2024-25 academic session commencing on August 8, top-brass in the Rock Hill School District have been exploring several other means of supporting its teachers. The pay bumps reaching a value of $8,259 were sanctioned by the Rock Hill School Board in June as part of its fiscal 2025 budget. Added to this, there was also an approximately 12 percent increase in the employer’s share in the health insurance plans.

Classroom Innovations and Renovations for Teachers

In further acts of support for their staff, three chosen teachers at Northside Elementary School were surprised on the last day of July with redesigned classrooms. The Classroom Renovation Program, christened ‘Inspiring Spaces’, was initiated the previous year by the district, signing up Nu-Idea, a school and office, furniture distributor based in Sumter. The initiative resulted in the renovation of classrooms, including features of new desks, tables, chairs, and even a complete floor-to-ceiling makeover, all at the expense of roughly $100,000 each room.

Amanda Bolt, a first-grade teacher at Northside Elementary School for the Arts, nominated by a family whose two kids she has tutored, was among the three educators rewarded with the renovated classrooms. Bolt walked into the completed classroom on July 31 for the first time, expressing visibly her amazement at the new furnishing. The team also replaced a flash light she had installed in her class to mark her pupils’ achievements.

An Added Summer Bonus

To soften the blow of the initial weeks for new teachers prior to receiving their first paycheck, the school has planned to give groceries and also doled out a few $100 gift cards during the week-new employee orientation, hinting at how much the district values their faculty members. It should be noted that the opening day of the school is August 8, implying the arrival of the first paycheck for newly recruited teachers isn’t until August 25.

New Measures Against Teacher Absenteeism

The district also seeks to prevent staff from burning out, particularly towards the end of the week, by introducing incentives for teachers who attend school throughout the week. Every Friday, district officials alongside community and business affiliates show up in the classes of teachers who have been present for all five days of the week, rewarding them with $100 gift cards sponsored by the school, community, and their business allies.

Despite salary raises for new teachers from $45,000 to $52,000 and other incentives, teacher absenteeism remains an issue. According to Frontline Education, a software company that serves schools, almost 40 percent of educators across the nation are chronically absent, being absent for 10 or more days in the academic year. “This is just an added layer of appreciation from the district and the community,” a district representative expressed, hoping this approach can significantly increase the Friday attendance.