Teacher Retention Rates On The Rise For Rome and Floyd Schools

As the start of the school year approaches, Floyd County and Rome City schools are reporting an increase in teacher retention.

Both school systems credit the teacher benefits and incentives they have in place.

Official numbers will not be available until October but internal calculations and publicly available information show:

♦ Floyd County Schools has a 90% retention rate, with 729 of 808 teachers returning for the 2024-2025 school year.

♦ Rome City Schools has a 87% retention rate, with 445 of 510 teachers returning for the 2024-2025 school year.

The school systems provide different benefits to their teachers, but their core incentives are the same. These incentives are district wide recognitions and celebrations for teachers and staff, teacher mentorship programs, professional learning opportunities, and assistance in the classroom.

Teachers in both school systems have the chance to pursue higher education at a discount at local colleges. Both Rome City Schools and Floyd County Schools partner with Berry College to allow teachers to receive additional education.

Rome also partners with Kennesaw State University and Shorter University to offer similar opportunities to teachers and paraprofessionals in the school system.

One of the unique incentives that Rome offers is self care days for teachers. These are paid days off when teachers can rest and reset. Last year Rome provided each teacher with three self care days.

RCS Superintendent Eric Holland said that the city can’t compete with other school systems in terms of salary but they can compete in “customer service.”

County school incentives lean more toward professional development with specialized training and mentorship programs for teachers. FCS Superintendent Glenn White said this year the school system is expanding its mentorship program.

The school system’s current mentorship program assigns new teachers with a mentor within their school to help them with their first year. In the upcoming school year new teachers will still have a mentor, but administrative staff from the system’s central office also will offer assistance.

The staff will help teachers in their classrooms and provide advice and guidance to new teachers. White explained that this won’t be an evaluation of these teachers, it will just be a way to provide more help. The mentorship program is for all new teachers within the county schools. That includes teachers who just graduated or teachers who are new to the area.

White stated that although he feels good about their retention rates Floyd County Schools is always looking to do better.