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Prince George's Co. offering big signing bonuses to lure teachers

The school system needs to fill at least 800 teaching positions before the beginning of the next school year.
Credit: Gloda / Thinkstock

Prince George's County Schools are offering $3,000 in signing bonuses to recruit teachers to fill its ranks.

The bonuses are being offered to bi-lingual teachers and those who are will to commit to teaching in some underperforming schools. There are three categories of bonuses. Teachers who meet all three could earn an additional $9,000.

The school system needs to fill at least 800 teaching positions before the beginning of the next school year.

RELATED: Principal, teacher on leave after altercation in front of Prince George's Co. students

Approximately 14.4 percent of teachers left the system or retired in the 2017-2018 school year, according to Prince George's County Educators Association President Theresa Ann Mitchell-Dudley.

The union blames the county's failure to catch up on four years of pay freezes that occurred after the national economic meltdown in 2008.

"Teachers have choices to make," said Mitchell-Dudley, noting that mid-career teachers can move to neighboring districts and achieve pay increases of up to $20,000 for their seniority.

New teachers are being offered $47,781, the fourth highest starting pay in Maryland.

Other incentives include the promise of additional professional development through cooperating universities such as the University of Maryland or Bowie State University.

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