Greenville County Schools Welcome Back Students
Greenville County, S.C. – Tomorrow marks the first day of school for nearly 80,000 students in the Greenville County School District. With the start of the new school year, district leaders are optimistic and prepared as they gear up for a successful year.
“We are ready to go,” said Tim Waller, the director of media relations for the school district. “Teachers are fired up, and we hope that kids are ready to go as well. It’s important to put them to bed early tonight since tomorrow morning is going to come quickly.”
As the largest school district in South Carolina, Greenville County has 86 schools opening their doors on Thursday, August 8th. Waller highlighted that one of the main reasons for their positive outlook is the strong teaching staff. “We have filled all our teaching positions, so we start the new year with excellent certified teachers,” he stated. This includes approximately 6,000 teachers ready to welcome students back.
In terms of transportation, the district currently has 400 bus drivers and is searching for about 50 more. Waller encouraged anyone interested in becoming a bus driver to consider the opportunity. “If you enjoy being around kids and are looking for a second career, driving a bus is a great option. It pays over $20 an hour for new drivers,” he said.
This year, the newly established CTE Innovation Center on Roper Mountain Road continues to gain traction. This center focuses on preparing students for their future careers. Remarkably, BMW has even identified students from these classes for their rising scholars’ program.
Waller reassured parents that even if their children do not opt for a traditional four-year college path, exploring vocational training options can enhance their job prospects after graduation.
Additionally, 82 schools in the district will continue to provide free meals to qualifying students this year. This initiative, known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, allows schools to offer free meals based on the number of low-income families enrolled.
As the school year begins, school officials encourage parents to expect increased traffic in the mornings, as car lines and roads are expected to be busier than usual.
