No Gainesville, Hall teacher job fairs this year

GAINESVILLE - Add Gainesville Hall County to the list of Georgia school systems that will not hold job fairs this year because of the faltering economy.

Coweta County announced its decision Monday; Hall County spokesman Gordon Higgins confirmed Tuesday that Hall County will follow suit.

Higgins said there are two factors involved in the Hall County decision... but both are related to the economy: the number of teachers planning to retire with well-below the usual number each year. In addition, the number of new students expected in the fall is way down because not as many people are moving into the Gainesville area.

In addition, various organizations have reported that the number of Hispanics living in the county is decreasing as jobs dry up and because of stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

Gainesville schools spokeswoman Connie Davis says the city system usually has two teacher job fairs each year "but we are canceling both this year."

While Coweta and Hall counties are canceling their job fairs this year, Gwinnett County is proceeding with plans for one on Feb. 28. Gwinnett held its last one in November. "Remember, hiring teachers in Gwinnett is a
year-round effort," school system spokesman Jorge Quintana said.