The Fort Worth ISD is casting a wider recruiting net, well beyond the boundaries of the Metroplex.
The school district has put up billboards in Oklahoma and Louisiana, inviting those considering a move to Texas to apply to become a teacher in the district.
"Starting salary is making $58,000 a year in our district,": said Raúl Peña, chief talent officer at FWISD. "We thought it was a great carrot to put out there and entice anyone that is thinking about coming to Texas to join the Fort Worth Independent School District team."
That starting salary, according to Peña, is well above those in prominent districts in those two states.
Peña listed, "Tulsa at about $40,000; Baton Rouge Parish at $49,533; Oklahoma City at $41,500."
Like many other school districts across the state, FWISD is facing a teacher shortage.
"Right now, we have about 200 teacher vacancies," Peña said. "And so it's been hard to fill those vacancies; and then as we fill them, we have teachers resigned as well."
Peña said the district is confident in its billboard investment.
"For a couple of months, it was about $20,000," Peña said. "I think the return on investment if we even get a dozen teachers, is going to pay off phenomenally."
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