From Beaufort County Schools

The Beaufort County School System is establishing a program to help in the recruitment and retention of educators in the system. This program, known as CARRE (Communities Aiding in Recruiting and Retaining Educators) is a local idea that is designed to establish a connection between local businesses and employees of the school system. The first phase of the program will involve school system leaders, working with parent representatives and local businesses, unveiling a discount program for the nearly 1000 employees in the system as the new school year kicks off in August. The deadline to sign on for this year’s program is June 16.

A card will be created that will highlight local businesses and service providers who will offer discounts to BCS employees who patronize their business. The card will hold up to 25 business logos and the discount being offered. In addition, a website and a digital brochure will be created to show all of the businesses and services providers who have chosen to support education by joining the CARRE network. A window sticker will be created for businesses to display, showing their support of the program. This will be a visual sign for BCS employees and anyone who comes to the door that this business supports public education in Beaufort County.

This year the goal is to fill the card with local businesses, but a larger goal also exists. Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps said, “I hope that we have far too many businesses willing to offer discounts than we can put on the face of the card; in fact, I hope that we garner enough support within our county that our list of CARRE Partners will represent every business and service area possible. I envision a program that allows a BCS employee to first look at the partner list to see if a good or service that they need is listed. I hope this will become part of every purchase decision that our employees make. It will help support local businesses and will reinforce the strength of the program.”

At this point, BCS is inviting any business or service provider to visit the school system’s website to sign up to be a CARRE Partner. As the initiative gets underway, the first 25 businesses that choose to participate will be included on the savings card. Other businesses will be listed on the website and digital brochure.

Another facet to the program will be a collection of tangible incentives offered by local businesses and service providers that will be available to new teachers who join the school system. These items will include goods and services, special offers, deposit waivers, subscriptions, etc. As Phipps explains, “The intent is to show potential employees what our county has to offer and to show the commitment that our county’s businesses have to public education. This will send a very powerful, positive message.” These incentives may represent special offers or products that a business cannot afford to offer to 1000 BCS employees, but can offer on a smaller scale.

Caring, competent, and committed professionals are critical to the success of our school system. This effort allows the school system to partner with the communities that we serve to attract and retain the professionals that will make lasting impressions on the children, families and communities throughout Beaufort County. This is a great investment for our future.