LITTLE ROCK, AR - The embattled Pulaski County Special School District has job opportunities across the board. And despite the history of conflict between the teachers union and the school board, job candidates jumped at the chance to find work at Saturday's job fair at Pulaski Tech.
Debates over teacher contracts and raises have been a common theme in the Pulaski County Special School District. But now the school board has approved contracts and agreed to 2 percent raises for teachers and support staff. The tension doesn't bother Audra Crawford who came to the job fair looking for a teaching position. Crawford said, "I don't mind being a part of helping a school grow. I think every child needs to learn to be successful through education."
Crawford is in the process of getting her teaching certification and she's willing to go anywhere from her hometown of Searcy to Little Rock to find work. Crawford said, "there's a lot more opportunities here I guess from where I'm from in Searcy. It's harder to find a job in that area. Teachers don't leave."
PCSSD employs about 2,800 people making it the third largest district in the state. Right now, the district is hiring for the next school year for teachers, janitors and everything in between. And those we talked to say these days if there's a job available you have to take it. Candice Duran said, "it seems like in our economy there's less turnover than there was in the past."
Duran has been looking for work the past year and a half and says in her field of elementary education competition is tough. She says high school math and science teachers have a easier time finding work. But she has high hopes Saturday's job fair will yield steady work for her.
Click the link next to this story to find out about opportunities available with the district.
