Throwing money at the teacher shortage

Throwing money just may be a solution to South Carolina’s shortage of public school teachers.  State Rep. Bill Whitmire of Walhalla last night announced that he and the governor agree they will support a $2,500 teacher raise.  In the parlance of getting things done, both Whitmire and Governor McMaster hold influential positions.  Through time, governors have been effective in cajoling and arm-twisting.  And Whitmire, one of the state’s senior legislative members, heads a House committee influential in education funding.  At the Oconee Delegation’s constituent meeting, Whitmire deplored the statewide situation of a 1,600-teacher shortage.  Three years ago, it was 1,100.