Broward schools to rehire laid off teachers

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (WSVN) -- The Broward County School District is working to implement a solution that could put many laid-off teachers back to work.

A facility originally intended as a bus depot, located on Stirling Road, just east of US 27, and currently overrun with problems could provide the space needed for teachers. The project went way over budget and took years longer than expected to build and then sat vacant.

The $18 million facility covers 30 acres of land, so superintendent Robert Runcie decided to put it to good use and save the district some money. A portion of the Sheridan Technical Center will be used to offer adult classes, like auto services, commercial driving as well as GED classes.

The Broward School District will use the other part of the facility for bus maintenance. The superintendent also plans to streamline transportation, which, he says, will save the district millions. "We will be able to reduce the transportation's annual budget, beginning with the 2012 - 2013 school year, by more than $15 million per year and redirect those resources into the classroom," Runcie said.

He plans to redirect some of that money saved to rehire specialty teachers who were laid off last year. "Many of our schools lost our specials, which is our music, art, media, physical education teachers," Runcie said. "We're going to hire those positions back."

John Tarka, administrator of the Broward Teachers' Union, said, "In terms of the hiring back of teachers, of course we're gratified, but we're also really pleased that there's going to be an effort to expand technical and vocational education."

Teachers, students and parents took to the streets last year after 1400 first and second year teachers received pink slips to help fill a $144 million budget hole. But now, some teachers may once again return to the classroom. "I'm excited about that because funding isn't getting any better, and those dollars need to be in the classroom," said Broward School Board member Robin Bartleman.

It remains unknown exactly how many teachers will be rehired or when that will happen.

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