Local School District Could Change Teacher Hiring Criteria

SALISBURY, NC — Rowan-Salisbury Schools could be changing the way it hires teachers.

The school board is expected to vote next month on whether to allow the district to hire teachers who do not have the standard education degree or license.

The district would base candidate qualifications on job history.

Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody says, for example, if candidates have a math degree and worked in banking for 20 years, they could be hired to teach math based on that experience.

She says it could give the district the option of hiring multiple people for some positions like P.E. For example, if someone is a former NBA player or a dance teacher, they could apply. The district could then switch up the teacher throughout the school year to give children variety.

The superintendent says it could widen the candidate pool.

“It is case by case and based on our students’ interests, the needs of the school, and the background of the individual. So, we’re going to be very deliberate and very slow to make these decisions,” said Superintendent Dr. Moody.

The district says it would put candidates through teaching orientation with the option of letting them go or requiring them to take further education courses if needed.

If approved, hiring could start as early as next month.