NASHVILLE (AP) - Metro Nashville schools officials say they're seeing the increase in applications they hoped for when teacher starting salaries were raised.
According to The Tennessean, more than 1,000 people applied for about 540 available teaching positions. The new academic year begins Aug. 1 for Nashville's public schools.
Recent Vanderbilt University graduate Maria Griffin was hired for one of the posts, which now begin at $40,000 annually. She thought she would have to accept a lower salary for her first teaching job.
The increase in starting salary was approved Wednesday by the school board. It's a hike of more than $5,500 from last year's starting pay.
Schools special projects liaison Earl Wiman said Metro Nashville was previously paying less than other large school systems.
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