BEAUFORT COUNTY, SC () — School starts Wednesday in Beaufort County, and it begins with good news about staffing in schools.

The Beaufort County School District says it has the lowest numbers of teacher vacancies in years.

Part of the reason is due to a recent salary increase, raising starting pay by $9,000 to $60,000 annually. This change positions Beaufort County as one of the top-paying regions in the state, enhancing their ability to recruit and retain educators.

Frank Rodriguez, the Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, remarked, “Our goal is to attract high-quality educators. We strive to support their endeavors, offering them top-notch curriculum resources for their classrooms and emphasizing effective teaching practices to benefit students.”

Rodriguez highlighted a significant advancement in the district’s career training offerings for students considering paths other than college.

They are concentrating on AI advancements, resulting in a new program at Bluffton High School designed to understand and utilize AI to the advantage of schools and students.

Financial considerations remain a concern for the district, particularly regarding the potential dissolution of the Federal Department of Education and funding for special programs, including special needs and after-school activities.

Rodriguez said he can only focus on the things he can change, and not the future questions.

“Something is bound to occur,” Rodriguez stated. “The question is what will it be and how will it manifest? This will affect local school districts as the state assumes additional duties. These shifts pose the biggest challenge due to their unpredictability.”

Beaufort County schools will offer free breakfast and lunch for students who qualify in 2025-26 school year.

The money for after school programs was just released by the federal government. The district does not believe those programs will be affected this school year.