Clark County School District looking to recruit military veterans, spouses

The Clark County School District, facing more than 2,000 open teaching positions, hopes to attract military veterans and their spouses to the classroom.

At a career fair Saturday, the nation’s fifth-largest school district will host a pilot program that has gained some national attention as an attempt to help former servicemen and women get a job while patching Southern Nevada’s chronic teacher shortage.

The four-hour event, starting 9 a.m. at Eldorado High School, 1139 N. Linn Lane, will include information about financial support from college and university officials.

“It’s a major outreach to veterans, to people who will finish their military commitment by January 2017 and also spouses,” said George Ann Rice, a former district associate superintendent of human resources.

She helped spearhead the April 30 event with family readiness centers at Nellis and Creech Air Force bases and veterans groups in the area.

Current or soon-to-be veterans with a bachelor’s degree in any subject can apply for state-approved, fast-track teacher training programs.

The district also expects to fill about 400 support staff positions, including bus drivers, electricians, substitute teachers, police and safety officers.

“With a wide range of skills and talents that include the willingness to support their country and the commitment to help others, military veterans are a natural fit and asset to classrooms and schools,” the district said in a news release.

Prospective candidates can find information at teachvegas.ccsd.net

Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Find him on Twitter: @nealtmorton