Fewer district teachers left Newberry to work in other districts last school year, said Pam Arrington, human resources executive director, at last week’s school board meeting.

The annual turnover report shows four teachers left Newberry County for other districts in the ‘08-‘09 school year. During the ‘07-‘08 year, 20 teachers left, which was a decrease from the prior year’s 24, and lower than in ‘05-‘06 when 40 teachers left.

The four teachers left for jobs in Lexington districts 1, 4 and 5. One teacher left for a position at the state virtual schools department.

Twelve teachers left the profession altogether, and six teachers were not rehired due to performance or certification issues, said Arrington.

Also down was teacher turnover. Turnover is at a 5-year low for the district at 9 percent for the ‘08-‘09 school year. There was a 10 percent turnover in the ‘07-‘08 year, reported Arrington.

As far as bringing in new teachers, Arrington says 36 teacher were hired last school year—the lowest amount in the 13-year hiring report.

Within the group hired, 12 percent were black and 12 percent were minorities. Both totals are down from 23 percent of blacks and minorities hired in the ‘07-‘08 school year.

RETREAT

The school board decided on a retreat for the afternoon of Nov. 11 and all of the following day Nov. 12 in Spartanburg to discuss goals for the district and to share information.

“I’d love to see us all there if at all possible,” said Board Chairman Don Saylor.