Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 1 · column 4 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
rounding counties."
Despite the 34 percent pay hike over the past three years, Rappahannock ranked 127th out of 136 Virginia school divisions in starting salary last year and 128th in top salary paid to veteran teachers.
Although salary is cited most often by teachers who choose not to stay in Rappahannock schools, there are other factors that lead them to return contracts unsigned, according to the superintendent. Social activities in the county are limited. “Especially our younger teachers want more of an opportunity to meet people,” he said. Lack of housing— both to rent and to buy—is another obstacle to keeping teachers, Mr. Estabrook added. “Salary, social opportunities, housing—those are the main things we hear.”
This year, vacancies have not come in the harder-to-fill special education and vocational education slots. After interviewing more than 60 applicants, the administration and School Board have found replacements for kindergarten, fifth grade and high school English. Gary Leake, former star of the RCHS basketball court and baseball diamond, will return to the gym to teach,physical education and coach both boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball.
Assignments have been shifted: teachers already on staff
Continued on page 16
93.3%