HENRICO, Va. (WRIC) — Henrico County will pay bonuses to teachers at nine schools with high rates of teacher vacancies in an effort to mitigate staffing issues.
Henrico identified nine “opportunity schools” — mostly located in the county’s eastern half — in which more than 25% of positions are either vacant or filled with provisionally-licensed staff.
Beginning next year, all new and existing teachers at those schools will be paid a $3,000 annual bonus. The school division also plans to hire additional staff to support teachers at the schools.
“This initiative will provide a tangible financial incentive and support the professional development of our instructional staff while helping to fill a dire need for additional, fully licensed teachers,” said superintendent Dr. Amy Cashwell.
The schools will keep that designation — and the attendant staff bonuses — for at least three years, regardless of any changes to their vacancy rates.
The nine schools included in the program now are:
- The Academy at Virginia Randolph/VirginiaRandolph Education Center
- Fair Oaks Elementary School
- Glen Lea Elementary School
- Laburnum Elementary School
- Elko Middle School
- Fairfield Middle School
- John Rolfe Middle School
- Highland Springs High School
- Varina High School
