Work begins on first-of-its-kind community in state in Fairfield County

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Work is underway on the initial phase of a tech-focused residential community for Fairfield County educators.

TruVista has partnered with the Fairfield County School District with the construction of a state-of-the-art Technology Center at The Village in Winnsboro, a Community of Fairfield Educators, dedicated to supporting Fairfield County educators, according to a news release.

The community, spearheaded by the Fairfield County School District Education Foundation, marks a unique step toward improving teacher recruitment and retention in this rural South Carolina district, according to the release.

Fairfield County, a rural school district encompassing over 686 square miles, serves approximately 2,500 students with five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, the release stated. Despite the work of its 350 certified staff members, 75% of whom reside outside of the county, Fairfield County faces ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining qualified teachers, the release stated. The Village in Winnsboro aims to address this by offering educators a newly built, affordable, residential community.

The Village in Winnsboro is the first initiative of its kind in South Carolina, focusing on creating a residential community for educators within the town of Winnsboro, the release stated. The innovative project seeks to integrate educators into the community, encouraging them to shop locally and engage more deeply with the community they serve. The ultimate goal is to create a supportive environment that enhances the quality of education by fostering stronger ties between teachers and the community.

“We lose 50% of new teachers in the first 5 years due to the lack of continuing education resources”, said Sue Rex, chairman of the board for Fairfield Education Foundation, in the release.

As part of the initial phase, 17 homes will be built by August 2024, providing immediate housing for educators, the release stated. Additionally, there are nine more lots available for future expansion. However, due to a lack of funding, purchasing these lots and constructing these homes is not currently feasible. The Fairfield County School District Education Foundation continues to seek donations and support to realize the full potential of The Village in Winnsboro and to serve the waiting list of teachers for this housing.

TruVista’s donation will specifically fund the construction of the Technology Center within The Village, equipping educators with cutting-edge resources and tools to enhance their teaching capabilities, the release stated. This Technology Center will serve as a hub for innovation, professional development, and collaboration, providing educators with the necessary support to deliver high-quality education to Fairfield County students.

The Fairfield County School District Education Foundation envisions The Village in Winnsboro as a transformative project that will set a precedent for other rural districts facing similar challenges, the release stated. By addressing the critical issue of teacher housing, Fairfield County aims to create a sustainable model for enhancing teacher recruitment and retention, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes for students.

“TruVista is committed to supporting the communities we serve, and investing in education is one of the most impactful ways we can make a difference,” said Carla French, CEO of TruVista, in the release. “The Technology Center at The Village in Winnsboro will provide invaluable resources to our educators, fostering an environment where they can thrive both personally and professionally. We are honored to be a part f this pioneering initiative.”