The Pasco County school district has frozen all vacant job positions, one day after a budget workshop where superintendent Heather Fiorentino told the School Board such a move could be coming soon.

The decision affects all jobs, including at the school level, and including those for which interviews already have been conducted. "Even if your ad has closed, do not make an offer of employment," assistant superintendent Renalia DuBose wrote in an e-mail to all district employees with hiring authority.

Only a limited number of jobs deemed necessary by the superintendent will remain open. Fiorentino took this step as the district seeks ways to cut as much as $20-million in spending by July.

To see the full text of the hiring freeze announcement, read on.

Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:54:13 -0500
Conversation: IMPORTANT!! HIRING FREEZE - PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY
Subject: FW: IMPORTANT!! HIRING FREEZE - PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY

Sent on behalf of: Renalia DuBose
Assistant Superintendent for Administration

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
DUE TO THE STATEWIDE FUNDING CRISIS

All unfilled positions are currently frozen. No position will be filled unless approved by Superintendent Heather Fiorentino. The Superintendent has reviewed the list of ads. Ads that are currently open will be cancelled, and the posting will reflect the cancellation. A limited number of ads will continue to run due to necessity and/or funding source.

Even if your ad has closed, do not make an offer of employment. If an offer has been made for an unfilled position, immediately contact Renalia DuBose at (813) 794-2856 by close of today, December 2, 2008.

If you have a position you deem critical to the operation of your workplace or if you have questions or concerns, you may contact your assistant superintendent.

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