First-year teachers in the Dayton Public School District could receive a $1,000 stipend to live and work within Dayton city limits.
The incentive is part of the City of Learners initiative launched by Mayor Nan Whaley and DPS earlier this year. There’s a need for high-qualified teachers in the district, which is expecting mass retirements over the next few years--some due to changes in the state’s retirement system. Competition with other charter and private schools in Dayton also affects hiring.
Dayton City Commissioner Jeffrey Mims says the stipend shows new teachers how important they are to the area.
“We are joined at the hip. And when you look at research, there is no great city that has a poor school system. And there’s no great school system that comes from a poor city,” he said.
Mims says the stipend could be used for rental expenses or as a down payment on a home in Dayton. The city plans to offer the money to a total of 50 new teachers. DPS, the city of Dayton and the Dayton Foundation are sharing the expense.
New middle and high school teachers also will be given an opportunity to receive a scholarship to take classes at Sinclair Community College to become adjunct-eligible teachers.
