Signing Bonuses

School Administrator, Sept, 1996

Faced with ongoing difficulty in hiring teachers for students with severe disabilities, the Santa Clara County Office of Education is turning to financial incentives.

Candidates certified in special education were offered up to $2,500 in signing bonuses this summer if they committed to work at least two years in the county. About 35 positions had to be filled by the start of classes this month.

Bonuses of $2,000 were offered to new teachers for alternative schools with $1,500 stipends available to certified Head Start candidates.

The Santa Clara office hires for 33 local districts.