Hillsborough Schools Are Hiring Hundreds

As nearby counties enact hiring freezes, Hillsborough County Schools are putting out help wanted signs.

Superintendent MaryEllen Elia told Hillsborough School Board members Tuesday the district has activated its online registration for potential hires.

“Hiring good teachers is a year round job,” Elia said. “We’re working very hard to have information available on our website so they (candidates) know what the process is.”

The Hillsborough district plays host to a new teacher week annually and tries to have most of its new hires in place by then, she said. It also plays host to an annual job fair in June where multiple applicants can interview for open positions. According to the district's website, there are 150 instructional positions open at this time. There are nearly 200 other positions open in support positions, food services and transportation, as well.

Elia also asked board members and attendees to let recent college grads know the district was hiring so they could get in on the process early.

For more information on open positions in Hillsborough, visit the district’s website.

Different Counties, Different Tunes

As Hillsborough puts out the welcome mat for new hires, the story is quite different in other nearby counties.

With fears of a potential $23 million budget cut looming, Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning announced a freeze on hiring Monday.

"It doesn't mean we're not hiring," Browning told the Tampa Bay Times. "Now we're doing everything individually."

Requests to fill open positions will be handled on a case-by-case basis with hires critical to daily operations getting the most attention.

The move was prompted by the district’s estimation it might face another $23 million shortfall in the 2013-14 school year. The district has faced multiple years of budget cuts. In 2011, it dealt with an estimated $54.4 million funding shortfall and had to cut nearly 500 positions from its payroll.

The Polk County school district also has a hiring freeze in place, according to the Times.

Are there open positions at your child’s school in Westchase? What qualities would you like to see in a new hire? Share your thoughts in the comments section.