With less than two weeks before students come back to the classroom, the McKinney Chamber of Commerce is rolling out the red carpet for new hires in MISD.
"We want to welcome them with open arms," said chamber president and CEO Jodi Ann LaFreniere.
MISD Superintendent Dr. J.D. Kennedy says for the 2012-13 school year, the district has hired more than 200 teachers.
However, he says those are not new positions, because of budget cuts, the district cut about 130 positions from its budget in recent years. The new hires, he says, are replacing vacancies throughout the district.
"We've had more turn over this year than what we had last year," he said.
Kennedy emphasizes that the district has continued to receive national recognition for excellence, despite budgetary challenges.
The Chamber welcome breakfast brought in dozens of McKinney businesses.
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The goal, according to LaFreniere, is not only hospitality, but to showcase the city, specifically if new employees are moving in from other states or districts.
"We not only want them to teach here, but to live here," she said. "We want this community to feel like home to them."
This is the 15th year the Chamber of Commerce has hosted such an event for MISD.
While teachers begin professional development the fourth week in August, the school year officially begins on August 27.
