Florida's Public Schools Added 10,985 Employees During Recession

Florida's public school officials complain about tight budgets, but even a recession didn't keep districts from adding staff.

While the Sunshine State was losing population and shedding jobs in record numbers, school systems filled 10,985 new positions between 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

The figures compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics reveal that K-12 employment rose from 329,726 to 340,711.

The report did not differentiate between instructional and support staff additions. Currently, more than half of Florida's K-12 employees work outside the classroom.