Hiring freeze at AISD for teachers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Independent School District is no longer hiring elementary school teachers due to a hiring freeze.

The district claims it is the reduction in the number of people retiring and not budget shortfalls that is inspiring this hiring freeze. This announcement is difficult to swallow with the economy forcing more people to rejoin the workforce.

"It's good for kids too, because we know when teachers stay put, kids do better," said Louis Malfaro with Education Austin . "The district actually has some very interesting data that says that a teacher tenure at a particular campus is a predictor of how well students will do."

No jobs will be lost with this hiring freeze. The district considers this good news.

"We need all of our teachers, and we need people to continue to apply to teach in AISD," said Pamela Hall, with AISD. "For approximately two weeks, maybe three weeks, we will not be hiring elementary school teachers and we will not be hiring secondary math teachers, secondary science teachers."

The district normally hires about 800 new teachers each year. So far this year, only 200 new teachers have been hired. The district is asking those who have applied to be patient a few more weeks because positions could open up soon.