Asheville City Schools Have Highest Rate of Teachers Quitting in NC

Asheville City Schools Have Highest Rate of Teachers Quitting in NC

Asheville City Schools teachers are quitting at a rate higher than any other school system in North Carolina, according to a recently released state report.

Teacher Turnover Statistics

Teacher turnover at ACS was 30.7% in the 2022-23 school year, according to the State of the Teaching Profession in North Carolina report conducted by the Department of Public Instruction. During the last school year, 98 of ACS’s 319 teachers left the school system.

Comparison with Other School Systems

The next highest attrition rate was 29.6% in the eastern Halifax County system, with 42 of 142 teachers leaving. Third-highest was Weldon City Schools at 28.3%, with 13 of 46 educators quitting. Buncombe County Schools had a 16.1% attrition rate, with 257 of 1,599 teachers leaving.

Replacement and Vacancy Rates

ACS appeared successful in replacing many of the teachers, as the school system had a 1.2% vacancy rate, compared to the state average of 6.4%.

Reasons for Leaving

The biggest percentage, 48%, of N.C. teachers said they left for “personal reasons,” with 17.2% citing a resignation “due to career change” and retirement “with full benefits.” In Asheville, 59.6% of departing educators said they left for personal reasons.

Statewide Teacher Turnover

North Carolina’s attrition rate for all public schools was 11.5% last year, up from 7.8% for 2021-22.

Efforts for Salary Increase

Asheville educators association members and Buncombe County Schools Educators Association made an organized push for a local supplement raise in spring 2023. The General Assembly approved a 7% raise in teachers’ base pay over two years, with an additional 2% for bus drivers. Buncombe County Commissioners also approved a tax increase to grow the local supplement.

Teacher Salary Information

According to the fiscal year 2022-23 state salary schedule, a new teacher with a bachelor’s degree must make a minimum of $37,000 annually. With the state and county supplements, a starting teacher salary at ACS for 2023-24 is $42,510, and at BCS is $42,315.

Concluding Remarks

Asheville City Schools’ high teacher turnover rate raises concerns about educator retention and satisfaction within the district. Efforts to address these issues, including salary increases and support programs for teachers, are essential to maintain a stable and qualified teaching staff.