An earlier start to secure next year’s teachers

The personnel director for Oconee public schools is making an earlier start to find enough teachers for the next school year—in 2017-18.  Earnestine Williams said she is recruiting new teachers and making an early start to secure commitments from existing teachers that they will sign new contracts.  Teachers now have a few extra weeks to make their decisions.  The traditional April 15 date to return signed contracts has been pushed back to May 11, according to district officials.  Williams anticipates several openings next year, created in part by the ending of South Carolina’s deferred retirement option program, Teri.