D.C. Council can't rehire fired teachers

D.C. Council members conceded on Tuesday that they have no authority to rehire 266 teachers who lost their jobs based on what has become a highly suspect budget deficit.

Instead, hiring decisions rest with Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration, according to the council’s lawyers. The assertion thwarted legislation introduced Tuesday by Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., D-Ward 5, to get fired teachers back on the job.