Lynchburg Office of Economic Development
(434) 444-1618
Lynchburg City Schools
(434) 515-5076
Innovative New Incentive to Assist in Recruiting New Science and Math Educators to Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA – The Lynchburg Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) have designed a new incentive program to attract great new educators to the city’s schools. LEDA, in conjunction with the LCS Director of Personnel, will provide up to $8,000 in a housing stipend for math and science teachers that commit to a three year agreement to teach in the City’s schools for grades 6 through 12. These two subject areas have been identified in the Virginia Department of Education’s 2013-2014 list of Critical Shortage Teaching Endorsement Areas and have been identified as particular need areas by the Lynchburg City Schools.
“The Lynchburg Economic Development Authority recognizes the importance of highly qualified teacher recruitment and strong public schools as an essential requirement of workforce development,” said Mike Lucado, chair of the EDA. “Not only are we supporting teacher workforce development, but we are also developing the pipeline for future STEM workers in the City of Lynchburg.”
The program will provide a $5,000 housing stipend for the first year and $2,000 and $1,000 respectively for the next two years. The incentives are designed to assist Lynchburg City Schools recruit highly qualified new educators to locate to Lynchburg. The money can be used for rent, lease payments or mortgage payments. Teachers must live within the city of Lynchburg to qualify and will receive their payments at the end of every semester.
“Lynchburg City Schools wants the best and brightest teachers to educate our students. With the housing stipend, we’re going to get the best and brightest. We want them here in Lynchburg,” said Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of
Lynchburg City Schools. “With the LCS Education Foundation and the Economic Development Authority, there are a lot of people coming together to move our school systems forward.”
LEDA will administer the program and will oversee all disbursements. The program was initiated by the Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation in coordination with LEDA, LCS and the City of Lynchburg Mayor’s Office.
The Lynchburg Economic Development Authority (LEDA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and serves as the incentive arm of the City of Lynchburg. LEDA actively pursues investment and development opportunities, and elevates the economic development profile of the City.
For more information on this or other LEDA incentives, please visit www.opportunitylynchburg.com.
# # #