S.C. lawmakers work to make things better for educators
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Every year, thousands of public school teachers across South Carolina sign their contracts – without knowing how much they’ll be paid, what subjects they’ll teach or where they’ll work.
That’s on top of burdensome paperwork they’re required to complete – and other mandated working conditions they say need to change if they’re going to keep teaching.
For the first time in several years – South Carolina’s growing teacher shortage may be slowing down.
How would Education Department’s end affect Ga., S.C. kids?
President Donald Trump says he may dissolve the Education Department, raising concerns among some parents and teachers in Georgia and South Carolina.
Many teachers say improved working conditions would help keep them in the classroom – and a bill that would address many of their concerns is now advancing at the State House.
“The policies in this bill can greatly enhance educator recruitment and especially retention in South Carolina,” said Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association.
The bill would reduce the amount of paperwork and istrative burdens teachers are required to complete – including by creating automatic recertification for active teachers.
S.C. Board of Education removes handful of books from schools
The South Carolina Board of Education is meeting Tuesday afternoon to review several books some community want to see removed from public schools.
“It’s about time we let teachers have some of these very simple things that don’t mean a whole lot to people unless it’s you,” said Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort, Education and Public Works Committee chair.
It would also reform the contract process.
Right now, teachers are required to sign their contracts in mid-May for the next school year – without any details.
“We ask teachers to sign a contract that basically is blank,” Erickson said. “I don’t know another profession around that anybody would take that job, yet teachers are so dedicated that they will trust and they will sign those contracts and they will do the work, and they’ll be there.”
MORE FROM NEWS 12
South Carolina: Latest from the State House
- S.C. attorney general leads push to investigate Fauci over pandemic
- Bipartisan bill seeks to tackle S.C. child-care challenges
- S.C. attorney general urges sheriffs to partner with ICE
- S.C. could expand protections for intimate partner violence victims
- SLED, S.C. Education Department among agencies under review
- Cannabis Capitol Rally returns to the S.C. State House
The bill would require districts to notify teachers about their job assignment no later than 14 days before the school year begins – and any reassignments would require the local school board’s approval.
It would also require districts include an estimated minimum salary in teachers’ contracts, which they would still have to sign in mid-May.
“This bill empowers teachers and gives them stability in the classroom and in their professional development,” said Rep. Hamilton Grant, D-Richland.
The bill would also give teachers time at the start of the school year that’s free of meetings – for them to get their classrooms ready before students return.
And it would create a process for retired teachers to keep their certificates active – if they want to return to the classroom.
The bill advanced out of committee on Wednesday and will next await a debate on the House floor.
Similar legislation has ed in the House in previous years – but was never taken up in the Senate.
But Erickson is optimistic that’ll change this year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
