Providence, RI School Board Rehires 1500 Teachers Fired In Feb.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The Providence School Board has voted to rehire nearly 1,500 of the city's teachers who were sent termination notices earlier this year.

The mayor and the school department touched off a firestorm in February when the city notified all of its nearly 2,000 teachers that their jobs could be eliminated at the end of the school year.

Mayor Angel Taveras (tuh-VEHR'-us) said it would give the city maximum flexibility in managing a $110 million deficit, but the move drew criticism from teachers' unions.

Teachers were notified of their rehiring Tuesday following the board's vote Monday night in closed session.

Another 370 teachers who will not immediately be rehired, but will have to apply for vacant positions. More than 100 teachers won't be rehired for reasons including disciplinary or performance issues.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)