A need for fewer new teachers in Columbia County for the coming school year has school officials looking for the cream of the crop in applicants.
"Bad for them, but good for us," said Anthony Wright, the school system's human resources executive director.
The system will hire about 120 teachers, but that number is down from the 250 hires for the 2007-08 school year.
The need for fewer new teachers is the result of a lower growth projection for next school year.
That enables the system to be even more selective about the teachers it brings on board.
The school system held a teacher screening Thursday for 126 applicants at First Baptist Church in Augusta, and a second screening is scheduled for 96 applicants Feb. 28.
More than 90 percent of the teachers at the first screening were veteran teachers, and 60 to 70 percent of the teachers at the second screening will have less than one year of experience, Mr. Wright said.
"Every year, at least a third of the new teachers we hire have zero experience," he said.
He said retirements will create about 80 positions, and about 20 spots will open when teachers move out of the area. Growth will account for 20 to 25 new positions.
"It won't settle down until August," Mr. Wright said. "But we want to get 80 to 90 percent of the new hiring done between now and May."
Mr. Wright said the system has a particular need for elementary school, speech and special-education teachers.
Luanne Greer was one of the applicants at the screening. Although she is not teaching now, she said, she has more than 20 years of experience as a special-education teacher.
"I grew up in Augusta," she said. "But I live in Aiken, and (Columbia County) is close to home."
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
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