Year-round schools aren't the only topic the school board will deal with today.

The board will hear school administrators tout how they've exceeded the district's goal of having minority businesses account for at least 10 percent of the district's construction contracting program. Board policy calls for staff "to actively seek and identify qualified minority business enterprises" for construction contracts.

The board will also hear a request to dip into the rainy day fund to provide money for traditional-calendar schools to hire enough teachers.

It looks like the poor economy is benefitting the school district on the hiring front.

Maurice Boswell, assistant superintendent for human resources, said today that they only have 21.5 teaching vacancies, much less than normal for this time of year. He said it's been easier this year recruiting the more than 950 new teachers hired for this school year.

If the vacancies aren't filled soon, Boswell said they'll head to Florida with employment contracts in hand. Several big Florida districts such as Broward, Dade and Orange counties have been laying off teachers due to declining enrollment.

Yesterday, Don Haydon, chief facilities and operations officer, said they only have 20 bus driver vacancies. They normally have around 80 openings this time of year.