The state wants to help teachers displaced by
Hurricane Katrina find a place in South Carolina schools as soon as
possible.
Louisiana officials estimate that up to 10,000 teachers may have been
displaced, and others who live along the Gulf Coast have said they don't
want to return, said State Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum. An emergency Web
site created by the New Orleans Public Schools advises teachers to seek
alternative employment immediately.
For those reasons, Tenenbaum said she wants to expedite the state's
application process to return evacuee teachers to classrooms.
COMPLETE
KATRINA COVERAGE
The state has about 400 teacher vacancies, and many of those are in
hard-to-fill subject areas such as math, science and special
education."There are many excellent teachers who are going to be looking
for work," Tenenbaum said.
South Carolina has agreements with Louisiana and Mississippi, and most
displaced teachers can get a one-year certificate. Displaced teachers have
to complete an application for South Carolina certification and submit a
fingerprint card for a background check.
The state Education Department will waive the regular $51 certification
application fee. Tenenbaum asked local school districts to cover the $24
fee for the state-required background check for displaced teachers.
The Education Department also plans to hold a job fair in Louisiana
within the next few weeks.
Charleston County School District will pay the $24 fee and looks
forward to evacuee applicants, said Jerry Adams, spokesman for the
district. The school district has 44 teacher vacancies, and 25 of those
are special education teachers.
Dorchester District 2, which includes the Summerville area, does not
have any teacher vacancies, but the district always has a need for
substitute teachers, said Pat Raynor, spokeswoman for the district.
Fewer than half of the state's 85 school districts have reported; but
among those that have, about 370 students from stricken areas have
enrolled. Dorchester District 2 had about 13 students enroll, while
Charleston County had about 50.
ON THE NET
To find education job vacancies in South Carolina, go to
www.cerra.org/jobbank.asp.