The Associated Press
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:00 PM

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Anne Arundel County school officials are working on a policy to hire foreign teachers.

Superintendent Kevin Maxwell says the state needs 7,000 new teachers per year. But he said Maryland colleges only produce about 2,100 teachers annually.

The president of the teachers' union in Anne Arundel County said hiring foreign teachers won't address the shortage. Tim Mennuti said people aren't willing to work for the salary that teaching offers.

But school board members say it's one of several options they'll use to address the shortage.

A county schools recruiter hired 12 Filipino teachers last year at a Philippines job fair. No recruiting trips are planned overseas this year.

The board will vote on the policy in January.