Top 10 Topics for New Hires

Absence Management is a substitute service for teachers to use when they need to report an absence.  Once you are added to this system as an employee, you will log into Frontline Central, then choose the Absence Management solution for access. If you need assistance with login information, please contact Ashley Crowley. 

Benefits

Your benefits become effective the first of the month following your official hire date. You will have within 31 days from your official date of hire to complete and submit new hire benefits paperwork. Information about medical, dental, vision, and other benefits can be found in the Benefits section of our website.

Once you become an employee, you will have access to the Staff Portal where additional information, forms, and details pertaining to your benefits can be found.

Planning for Retirement

Employees contribute 9% into the retirement plan. This amount is set by the state retirement system and cannot be increased or decreased. The district contributes a total of 21.81 % for each employee.  For employees that elect to participate in the State ORP plan, 5% of the employer contribution is remitted directly to the employee’s State ORP service provider. More information can be found in the Benefits Quick Links.

 

Instructions for Completing the Fingerprinting Process

Applicants for a South Carolina teaching certificate, including those applying for student teaching approval, must complete the fingerprinting and professional practices review process of the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). The SCDE accepts fingerprint-based criminal history background reports processed solely for the purpose of educator certification through the state’s approved vendor, IdentoGO by Idemia. Pursuant to state statute, the SCDE cannot accept background reports completed for any other purpose, state agency, or state. Once the fingerprinting process is complete, an applicant’s state and federal background reports are transmitted directly to the SCDE by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

South Carolina Residents and Applicants Located in South Carolina

In-state applicants can schedule an appointment for digital fingerprinting by contacting IdentoGO at www.identogo.com/locations/south-carolina. Applicants without Internet access may schedule an appointment by calling the IdentoGO South Carolina customer service team at 866-254-2366.

During the registration process, the vendor will provide information regarding the documentation required to complete the fingerprinting and criminal history reporting process. Please note that the processing fee of $51.75 is paid directly to IdentoGo and is the responsibility of the applicant. When scheduling an appointment, applicants must provide the following information to ensure that the SCDE receives their reports:

Agency ORI: SC920060Z
Agency Name: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Reason Fingerprinted: TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Service Code: 2BF6YT

Applicants must bring a valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to the fingerprint appointment. Any applicant without a valid South Carolina driver’s license or identification card must provide two forms of identification issued by a state government agency or by an agency of the federal government; one of these documents must be a photo ID.

Applicants Located Outside of South Carolina

Applicants who are located outside of South Carolina must have their fingerprints completed manually by a local law enforcement agency or other entity that provides fingerprinting services. IdentoGo locations in other states may offer fingerprinting services; however, the prints must be completed on the fingerprint cards provided by the SCDE.

To complete this process, an applicant located out-of-state must:

1. Request fingerprint cards from the SCDE Office of Educator Services by completing the Fingerprint Card Request through My SC Educator Portal. The fingerprint process must be completed on the provided cards.
2. Take the fingerprint cards to a local law enforcement agency or other entity that provides fingerprinting services and obtain a set of fingerprints. Fingerprints may be either ink-rolled or captured electronically and printed onto the provided card.
3. Register and pay for the Fingerprint Card Processing Service through IdentoGO at www.identogo.com. For assistance with the registration process, please contact IdentoGO at 866-254-2366. Please note that the processing fee is $51.75 is paid directly to the vendor and is the responsibility of the applicant. The following information will be required during the registration process:
   
   Agency ORI: SC920060Z
   Agency Name: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
   Reason Fingerprinted: TEACHER CERTIFICATION
   Service Code: 2BF6YT
4. Enter the registration number provided by IdentoGO in the upper-right section of each card in the section labeled "Leave Blank." The registration ID is available on the appointment confirmation document.
5. Submit the completed fingerprint cards with registration ID included to: Submit the completed fingerprint card with registration ID included to:
   
   IdentoGO
   Card Scan Department
   340 Seven Springs Way, Suite 250
   Brentwood, TN 37027

Note: If you reside in another state but will be traveling to South Carolina, you also have the option of following the instructions for individuals located in-state and scheduling an appointment for digital fingerprinting at an office of the vendor in South Carolina.

Additional information regarding the review process is available on the Fingerprinting Process and Criminal Records Review webpage.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Click here to learn about various student loan forgiveness programs available to teachers.

Helpful Links

The South Carolina Department of Education website.

SC Teachers Loan and  Career Changers believe in empowering the next generation of teachers in South Carolina. They offer "Teacher Loans" to South Carolina residents who are interested in the teacher profession and "Career Changers Loan" for South Carolina residents interested in changing careers to become a teacher.  Visit their website for loan details and applications.

Teachers of Tomorrow is the nation’s largest alternative certification provider, where over 70,000 quality teachers have been certified.

CERRA: Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement provides a number of programs that serve as a national model for teacher recruitment and teacher leadership initiatives.

PACE: Program of Alternative Certification for Educators was established to enable degreed individuals, who otherwise do not meet certification requirements, to gain employment in the public schools in a PACE-approved subject-area teaching position based on their bachelor's or graduate degree concentrations and coursework.
PACE requires a three-year commitment to the content area and grade level for which you are admitted.

LEAP: Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway works with individuals who wish to transition into the teaching profession in a LEAP approved subject based upon their bachelor’s or graduate degree coursework. If selected, you can teach in one of our licensure areas and receive a teacher salary. A team of professionals will be dedicated to your growth as a teacher. Upon successful completion of the three-year program, you will receive a teacher certification.”

Nestled in the Lowcountry, Beaufort County is an ideal destination for an active and ourdoor lifestyle. With an abundance of sunshine there are penty of things to do, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing to name a few. 

Click here to find community resources as you Live Where You Love! 

District Clusters & Attendance Zones

Our school district can be viewed by cluster to help understand the geographic regions. The map below shows our district by cluster. You can also click here to view the attendance zones for specific schools. 

 

School Report Cards 

Each year, School and District Report Cards are posted on the South Carolina Department of Education’s (SCDE's) website. Not to be confused with student report cards, these Report Cards provide information about each school and district, including test performance, teacher qualifications, student safety, awards, parent involvement and much more. 

Click here to view the school report cards. 

The Afterschool Childcare Program is bring offered to full-time employees. Afterschool care will be provided to your child on school days and available full-days on staff development days. 

Click here to register your child.

Mandatory Safety Training

All Beaufort County employees must complete annual SafeSchools training. Training is administered online through Vector Solutions. When you attend your technology appointment, you will receive instructions and credentials to access this training. For questions about SafeSchools training, contact Jennifer Staton, Coordinator of Risk Management at 843-322-2355.

Employee Handbook 

This handbook should be understood as a brief description of the benefits offered by the Beaufort County School District and an overview of its policies and procedures. 

Click here to view the Employee Handbook. 

Calendars

Click here to view the academic calendars for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

Click here to view the employee calendars for 240 and 260 employees. 

The Beaufort County School District understands the need and importance for quality mental health care for our students and our staff. That's why we have partners that offer free and confidential service for our employees.

Wright Directions Family Services: A local, collaborative mental health organization that provides a wide range of virtual or in-person mental health counseling. 

Gaggle: Teletherapy to fit your individual needs. 

Hello Hero Schools: A multidisciplinary healthcare and emotional support through virtual counseling and wellness services. 

Payroll

Everyone's top topic! Click here for the information on Payroll from our district Finance team. 

Did you know the Beaufort County School District pay scale for teachers is one of the highest in South Carolina? It's true! You'll find that information and more, including the academic and employee calendars, and payroll and paycheck schedules, all bundled in the Salary & Stipend Schedule.

Experience Verification

To request experience verification for certified staff please email Ebony Wilson at ebony.wilson@beaufort.k12.sc.us. 

To request employment verification for classified staff please email Diane Standish at diane.standish@beaufort.k12.sc.us.

Mentoring

We believe strongly in supporting our teachers throughout their professional journey. Our Induction and Mentoring Program underscores professional growth within the domains of planning and instruction, including mandatory requirements in accordance with the State Department of Education Induction Guidelines, and assisting new teachers as they navigate practical aspects and protocols of the job.

We have also found that mentoring helps new teachers build trusting and long-lasting relationships with other faculty members and school administrators, fostering a positive mind-set for professional growth that ultimately supports a primary district initiative - to recruit and retain quality educators who are committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals through a continuous improvement model.

If you have questions about the Induction and Mentoring Program, please reach out to District Mentor Suzanne Lange and her team by emailing: BCSDLeadMentorTeachers@beaufort.k12.sc.us or calling 843-322-2301.

Expanded ADEPT

Expanded ADEPT is the SC Department of Education’s system for teacher support and evaluation. Expanded ADEPT is really the umbrella term for the levels of teacher support and evaluation process types that occur for teachers at all contract levels throughout the span of their careers. SC has 3 contract levels: Induction, Annual, and Continuing. Your level is indicated on the employment contract you signed for this coming school year.

Certified Personnel ADEPT Evaluation Process

 

**Induction Support - a novice teacher may be assigned up to 3 years of Induction. Those of you who have been issued an Induction contract will participate in the district’s Induction program. Within this program, you will be assigned a district mentor, and a building mentor. You will be evaluated formatively through your school.

Overview of ADEPT Process

 

Download a PDF of the ADEPT Process Overview.

SCTS 4.0 Evaluations

The SCTS 4.0 evaluations are structured within 4 broad domains which are specific to their teaching discipline (i.e. classroom teachers, speech-language professionals, school counselors or school librarians). Underneath each domain are the critical elements of teacher performance, known as "indicators," or performance expectations which teachers are expected to demonstrate in their daily practice.

SCTS 4.0 Rubric

Visit the South Carolina Teaching Standards 4.0 Rubric for Classroom-Based Teachers.

ADEPT for Special Areas: Speech-Language Professionals, School Counselors and School Librarians

Major revisions to the ADEPT for Special Areas evaluation models were approved by the State Board of Education. Learn more about them by visiting the SCDOE website.

Support

Beaufort County School District believes in supporting teachers. Within each school building, you will find a variety of support personnel, including: instructional coaches, liaisons, mentors, RTI Coordinators, school psychologists, nurses, ESOL teachers, bookkeepers, data specialists, media personnel, social workers, behavior interventionists, technology coaches and school counselors.

Once you attend HR Orientation, you will receive an email with a link to sign up for IT training. There, you will receive your district-issued laptop, be introduced to Classlink, the district's one-click single sign-on portal to everything you need, learn about district expectations for technology use, and using social media.

Technical Support

The district and each district school has a dedicated technician to help with technical problems like hardware issues, internet connectivity or error messages on your computer. When something isn't working, a technician can help!

When in need, use the Web Help Desk (found on Classlink) to submit a work order ticket. If you are unable to get online, you can also call the Help Desk at (843)-322-HELP.

EdTech Coaches

Seven Educational Technology coaches train district teachers on integrating instructional software and web-based tools.

Coaches train during scheduled PD time, in small groups, or one-on-one. Additionally, coaches can co-teach with you or model lessons in your classroom.

You can use the Web Help Desk (found on Classlink) to submit a ticket for requested training from a coach.