It's A Steal

In Oklahoma, a state where cattle rustlers once roamed, authorities are worrying about a new form of thievery-teacher poaching. According to Oklahoma officials, districts in Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas are raiding Sooner State schools and making off with prized talent. The state department of education reports that about 1,000 teachers quit last summer, many of them lured across state lines by higher salaries.

This year, Oklahoma is fighting back, having raised the minimum salary for beginning teachers by $3,000 to $27,060. "Out-of-state recruiters are stealing our teachers," explains Sandy Garrett, the state's superintendent of education. "We knew we had to do something."

Bidding wars like this one have become common around the nation- especially during the summer hiring season-as the pool of teachers and administrators shrinks and demand grows. Federal estimates suggest schools will need to sign up 2 million new teachers this decade. Those who teach mathematics, science, bilingual education, or special ed are the most coveted. To attract talent, districts and states are hiking salaries, doling out signing bonuses, and beefing up benefits. Many are streamlining the hiring process and offering on-the-spot contracts at job fairs. Some are even partnering with real estate brokers to offer teachers discounted housing. The result in some districts and states is high turnover. "Man, we get raided all the time," groans Gene Neely, president of the Kansas National Education Association. People "love Midwestern...