2021-2022 | CLASS ACT 33
The Cherokee County
School District is not only
Cherokee County’s largest
employer, it’s also focused
on being the best.
With nearly 5,000
full-time employees, CCSD
employs 3,000 teachers,
counselors, media specialist
and other educators,
with the remainder in
support roles ranging from
bus drivers to school nurses
to technologists to School
Nutrition staff.
This unique mix of
employees means CCSD
offers a wide variety of
opportunities for people to
join its team, which for the
last five years has been
celebrated as #CCSDfam.
“We are a family,”
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Brian V. Hightower
said. “Our organization is a
people organization, with
over 90% of our operating
budget dedicated to their
compensation and care.
We have among the lowest
attrition rates in the State,
as we work hard to keep the
best in every field – both
educators and support staff
– as our children deserve
the best.”
Cherokee County does
boast one of the State’s
lowest teacher attrition
rates, and also ranks
among the top districts for
highest average salaries for
teachers. A focus on
ensuring compensation and
benefits remain competitive
is a critical strategy,
with practices such as
districtwide raises rather
than only awarding increases
to specific subgroups.
Regular regional
compensation studies keep
salary ranges competitive,
with recent increases for
posts including more
experienced teachers,
police officers and clerical
staff.
CCSD employees
receive benefits packages
with significant investment
by the School District,
including the State Health
Benefit Plan; Employee
Assistance Program;
dental, vision and fitness
center plans; a sick leave
bank; and retirement
options such as Teacher
Retirement System and
investment plans. Professional
development programs
and career ladders
provide employees in all
fields the opportunity to
stay ahead of trends, learn
new skills and grow with
CCSD – no matter their
current position.
At the worksite, schools
and offices promote collaboration
through Professional
Learning Community
work-alike groups, staff
meetings and recognition
programs. At the District
level, CCSD recognizes the
best teachers, counselors,
media specialists and
support staff through
annual awards programs,
supported by generous
donations from community
partners. The State’s
annual School Climate
ratings, which are determined
by data including
staff surveys, consistently
rank CCSD schools at a 4
out of 5 stars or higher.
CCSD created a recruitment
coordinator position
two years ago and tapped a
top teacher – past Teacher
of the Year Lindsay Bowley
– for the task of seeking out
new talent. Ms. Bowley,
who is part of CCSD’s
Office of Human Resources,
helps coordinate CCSD’s
annual job fair held in
March, participates in the
Cherokee County Office of
Economic Development’s
annual job fair and travels
the region to attend college
job fairs. Job listings are
posted throughout the year
on CCSD’s website – click
the Jobs@CCSD button on
the home page to learn
more and apply online.
Interested in being a
substitute teacher? Sub
workshops are held
throughout the year,
check our website (QR
code below) to apply
online. Two workshops
are already scheduled
for Aug. 12 and Sept.
14. Subs are also needed
throughout the year for
bus drivers and School
Nutrition workers.
Join the #CCSDfam!
link