A pressing issue in North Carolina has been recruiting and retention of educators.

Back in May, a job fair was held in Raleigh by Houston School District, headed by Terry Grier, former Guilford County Schools superintendent, attempting to lure teachers to a state that pays its educators around $15,000 more per year than North Carolina.

Although North Carolina school districts cannot increase teacher pay, which is up to the state’s legislators, Beaufort County has taken a step to show appreciation for its teachers through the implementation of its CARRE program.

The CARRE (Communities Aiding in Recruiting and Retaining) program is geared not only to attract and show appreciation for new teachers that are hired, but it also offers incentives to stick around for those who have been teaching in a state that ranks 46 out of 50 in teacher pay. Therefore, the program is multifaceted.

Beaufort County Schools designed the CARRE program to establish a connection between local businesses and employees of the school system.

CARRE cards, given to BCS employees at the beginning of the school year, offers discounts from participating businesses, giving district employees an incentive to stay through community support and appreciation. These educators are, after all, the ones preparing classes and classes of students, who will one day, be business owners, community leaders and the workforce of tomorrow.

Another facet of the program is designed to collect tangible incentives offered by local businesses and service providers for new teachers joining the school system. The items include goods and services, special offers, deposit waivers, subscriptions and more. This shows potential employees of what Beaufort County has to offer and to show the commitment the community’s businesses have to public education.

Caring, competent and committed professionals are critical to the success of the Beaufort County School system — or any other system. The effort behind the CARRE initiative allows the school system to partner with the communities the school system serves to attract and retain the professionals that will make lasting impressions on the children, families and communities throughout Beaufort County, as BCS Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps puts it. This is a great investment for the future of Beaufort County.