Columbia Public Schools hires more than 200 new employees

Columbia Public Schools welcomed more than 200 new employees to the district prior to the 2013-2014 school year.

On Wednesday, the new employees took part in a special welcome breakfast and orientation.

CPS officials say they received nearly 2,600 applications for teaching and administrative positions. As of Wednesday, 206 employees were hired by the district. That means less than 8 percent of applicants were hired.

CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said the new teachers have more than 800 years of experience, with 16 percent of them having ten or more years of experience.

Out of the new employees, 31 of them come from outside of Missouri and represent 14 different states.