The Volusia County School District seems healthier than in years past. More students enrolled this year than expected.

The district known for firing teachers and eliminating positions five years ago is actually hiring teachers. The district is giving current teachers a pay raise.

The district projected 600 fewer students would enroll this year.

Instead, they saw an increase of more than 110 students, which means they have 700 more students than they expected.

As a result, the school district is looking for educators.

"We have placed more than 72 teachers in the classrooms since school started and we are still hiring teachers," said Nancy Wait, spokesperson for the Volusia School District.

Wait agreed this is a stark contrast to 2008 when the district was faced with low enrollment numbers and fewer dollars from Tallahassee.

The district was forced to lay off hundreds of teachers and eliminate positions.

"We had the risk of our music, our music programs, our P.E. all being slashed. And this was just last year," said parent Chet Noviello, whose child attends Longfellow Elementary School in Daytona Beach Shores.

Instead, Governor Rick Scott signed legislation approving pay raises for Florida teachers.

The school district and the Volusia Teacher's Organization, the largest union representing Volusia teachers, agreed on a 5 percent pay hike across the board for county educators.

Wait said the district sees increased enrollment in both the east and west side of the county.

Also, Wait said the majority of the new students are in elementary schools, which means those students could possibly continue their education in Volusia County.