reply to Lois

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reply to Lois
By Betsy

Lois,
I think your advice can be true is some situations, but not here. The reason we have so many elementary openings right now is because we needed an additional thirty or so teachers to fill the new elementary school
for the 2004-2005 school year. Also, several established schools added classrooms which means a need for additional teachers. Four years ago I completed my student teaching at a school that had about eight sections each of K, 1st, and 2nd. Next year each of those grades will have 12 sections! The reason we passed a school bond is because of the large growth spurt we are experiencing.

We will build ten new schools within the next three years along with additions to existing schools. The papers have recently reported that we are the fastest growing county in Mississippi and the 37th in the nation. Unfortunately MS is very low on the payscale, but I must give my county recognition for offering one of the highest supplements in the state. As for working conditions, I love where I work and the majority of the teachers love our superintendent. He has been in office for a little less than a year and has alreay made drastic changes based on teacher surveys.

I don't mean to sound defensive. It's just that I work in a great county and I could not bare to think that I may have made it sound otherwise. Another thought to add: a lot of Desoto county residents who are teachers teach in Memphis, TN which borders our county. They pay on average about 10,000 dollars more a year than MS. I have even been tempted to go to Memphis, but the money just isn't worth it to me. Have a good summer.