New math teachers could receive bonuses

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Calling all math teachers in the Mobile area.

Mobile County School Superintendent Martha Peek has something she wants then to know, and it deals with cold hard cash. Peek hopes a new approach will add to more math teachers, who are in high demand.

"Primarily, we are looking for teachers who haven't been in the school system before, and for our schools that are typically harder to staff," said Peek.

The schools are hard to staff either because of the location, or in some cases, test scores.

In an effort to attract and retain teachers the district is offering $2,000 signing bonuses.

Peek said teachers would get $1,000 at the start of the school year, and another $1,000 at the end of the year. Plus, the teacher would have to sign a two-year commitment.

"We find that once teachers do make a commitment to a school and spend a minimum of two years [there] it becomes their home school, and they will remain there for the length of their tenure with the Mobile County Public School system," said Peek.

Peek said funding for the bonuses comes from a federal program aimed at recruiting and training.

She hopes to hire as many as ten teachers.

School board members must first approve the idea. It is set to vote on the proposal Monday at its meeting. The meeting will be held at Baker High School in Mobile.