Metro School District Offers $2,500 Signing Bonus For New Teachers

A metro school district is offering a $2,500 signing bonus for anyone who joins the district this upcoming school year.

Crooked Oak Public Schools Superintendent Bradley Richards said he came up with the idea and presented it to the school board.

The district has over five teacher vacancies it has been unable to fill, simply due to a lack of qualified applicants.

“It is incredibly difficult,” Richards said. “There are over 500 school districts in Oklahoma, and we are the top paid as far as teacher salary.”

The signing bonus will come from the school’s general fund.

Richards said quality teachers make all the difference for students.

“It’s just important to me that teachers are the number one criteria,” Richards said. “That is the number one factor in student achievement and that is where we want to spend our money.”

All applicant’s need is a standard or provisional license, credentials to teach in Oklahoma and must qualify for the job.

At Crooked Oak, Richards said it doesn’t stop at the curriculum.

“It’s not necessarily teaching math or teaching English, you’re teaching children and you’re teaching a subject,” Richards said. “The kids have to be the number one priority. They have to be the focus. Somebody that wants to make a difference in a kid’s life.”

Time is running out for teachers to apply.

The district hopes something as small as a signing bonus, gets big results.

“We got to get the best and the brightest here,” Richards said. “We have great kids, great families, great support. We want the best.”

All of Crooked Oak Public Schools vacancies are posted on the district’s website.