PRINCE WILLIAM POURS ON PERKS TO GET TEACHERS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180235
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Medium
PRINCE WILLIAM POURS ON PERKS TO GET TEACHERS
Prince William County is trying to attract top-notch teachers by offering such perks as free meals at restaurants and discounts from movers, dry-cleaners and other merchants.
Florence Stith, supervisor for elementary and special education personnel, said similar programs have had some success in neighboring Fairfax County and Prince George's County, Md.
"There are a lot of . . . services that people need when they move to a new area," Stith said.
Despite having the best teacher salaries locally, Prince William's educators still fare below the more metropolitan school systems that encircle the District of Columbia.
With almost 6,000 staff members, the school division is the county's largest employer. Personnel supervisors recruit nationally, and the latest strategy should only improve Prince William's drawing power, officials say.
"What we're trying to do is target the very best teachers," Stith said. She said she hopes the program "will give us better publicity and an edge over some of our competitors."
TBR & Associates, a Fairfax-based consulting firm, has been hired to coordinate the program.
"This . . . provides something for everyone concerned," said Warren Eisenhower, president of TBR and a former personnel recruiter for Fairfax County schools. "Local businesses enjoy the opportunity to directly attract new customers, and Prince William County gains an effective tool for recruiting."
Among others, the firm hopes to attract discount offers from real-estate agents, department stores, day-care providers, florists, theaters, fitness centers and medical facilities.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB