Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) has made significant accomplishments in its human resources practices in the past year. The district has fewer employment vacancies than before the COVID pandemic. All custodial and transportation positions are filled. All leaders are in place and fewer than 15 educational staff vacancies remain.
GSCS issued a tiered retention stipend program that awards educators each year for returning to teach in the district. Teachers receive a higher stipend each year, based on the number of years served in GSCS, applied on top of their salary and step increases (raises). Every employee receives some amount of retention stipend. Stipends begin at $1,000 up to a maximum of $7,000.
Other retention efforts include new semi-monthly payroll, free GACE test prep sessions and resources, a staff mentor program, staff academies, professional learning opportunities and intentional efforts dedicated to improving climate and culture. In addition to retention efforts, the GSCS Human Resources Department has focused on recruitment by participating in and hosting numerous job fairs and expediting the hiring process.
At the annual Georgia School Personnel Administrators (GASPA) conference this summer, the GSCS HR Department won five awards. GSCS earned a Best in Class Gold Award in the Website Development category for creating a new resource that consolidates all professional development learning opportunities into one location for easy access by employees. They earned Best in Class Silver Awards for their employee handbook, GSCS Recruitment Ambassadors, the GACE Test Prep Program and the Wisdom in Senior Educators (W.I.S.E) Teacher Mentor Program which uses retired teachers to mentor new teachers.
GSCS is one of 17 districts in the state that were selected to pilot the new Georgia Leads staff evaluation system. GSCS is also only one of five districts in the state to receive certification from the Georgia Department of Education for its Certified Teacher Induction Program (CTIP).
GSCS Executive Director of Human Resources Judi Battle said, “GSCS is a great place to work. The level of pride employees have for this community is evident in the hard work and dedication of each staff member. I am proud of the HR team and that I have the privilege to work alongside team members who dedicate themselves to improving the employee experience.”