Allow me to vent

[The Bad Guy]

I just need some space to rant and let off some steam. As some of you know, I was furloughed from my job 3 weeks ago as a special education teacher. I just had acquired tenure in the district, built up the program from basically scratch, and was let go because of an enormous amount of cuts in the district that initially happened in early July, but because they screwed up the seniority list, I got bumped by one spot. 3 years of sterling evaluations and the best I got was a voicemail from the superintendent saying I didn't have a job anymore.

I had an interview at another district 2 weeks ago and it went well. They had called my principal that was at my old school and they told him it was between me and another teacher I worked with that was furloughed. The district ended up making their decision based on the fact that this teacher also coached field hockey.

This was the absolute worst ****ing time ever for me to get laid off. Just built a new house, just had a ton of concrete work done at the house just a week before the call. They let me go 3 weeks before the year started, which means all the jobs have basically dried up.

I'm just beyond frustrated and angry. The union is doing next to nothing to get jobs back. I've requested a grievance about the fact they had 2 lottery drawings my initial year. The first drawing I was 4th highest on the list. The 2nd drawing, I was 15th. I also was hired for elementary and they moved me to high school a week before the year started. The lady I beat out for the elementary job, who was only hired after I got moved, is higher than me on the seniority list. My union head doesn't seem to really care about that.

I went to clean out my classroom yesterday and it's amazing how cold people can be. Some people I was really nice to just wouldn't even acknowledge me even though I wasn't let go because of any doing of my own. It just pissed me off to be treated like a bastard stepchild.

Even if I do get a teaching job elsewhere, I'm likely looking at 10-15k paycut.

I'm just really angry and needed to vent tonight.


***UPDATE***

I was called back by the superintendent of the district that furloughed me and they have a long-term sped position available until the end of the year. I accepted it. I go back to my full pay with benefits. While I'm hopeful that a full-time position will present itself, this gives me some security and flexibility.

I'm excited.

**2ND UPDATE****

Well, the arbitration ruling finally came down, and the teacher's union won on all counts. The district illegally furloughed all 32 teachers and now have to give us back pay and benefits for the entire school year as well as return us to our previous positions. District sent me a letter stating my reinstatement and I have to go to a meeting at 8 AM on Friday.

They might still appeal, but it's a good feeling.

[Bump]

it won't be too long before some R's come in here and tell you that you are entitled and lazy. But that sucks dude, sounds like some bullshit.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Sorry for your luck, Frank. I hope something good happens for you quickly. You going to be paying union dues at your next gig?

Highly unlikely unless I end up at a district that's union has a solid rep.

The kicker is these ****ers want us to pay our dues while we are furloughed. I told them to **** off and that all my issues happened when I was a full paying member so they have to support me.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Munson

The unions have no problem taking your money. But when you truly need them, they'll tell you to go f*** yourself.

I added up the numbers. If I end up working at my job for 30 years.....I will have paid almost $11,000 in Union Dues. That's ****ing stupid.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Not one of the ****ing union reps were furloughed. However, if one was, you can bet your ass they'd be moving like their ass was on fire.

People in power never punish themselves. I know of a county government in Colorado (Adams County) where corruption has cost taxpayers literally tens of millions of dollars, but the people in charge continue to give each other raises and promotions. It's sickening.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'd rather send it to that one who sucks the penis Gov of Pennsylvania, who refuses to tax the oil companies that come here, but has cut education funding by considerable amounts. Oh yeah, the same guy who took kickbacks from the Second Mile Foundation.

If that piece of shit is still in office in 2 years, I'm moving to another state to teach.

I'm considering Canadian citizenship if a certain someone is reelected in Nov.

Seriously though, I just started working fulltime just 3 months ago with nearly 2 years grabbing whatever I could to keep afloat (barely). I'm getting paid more now to deliver drugs than I did working IT, figure that one out!

[Lumpy]

Vent away, BG! You have been put through a lot of BS and you can't keep that bottled up.

I know how you feel, (in a way). When Gonzo got laid off, we went into panic mode. Just stay focused on your goals and you will achieve them in time.

As far as the admins getting a raise... that makes absolutely no damn sense!

I wish you the best!

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Oh, I also forgot to rant about how the administrators in the district are getting their 4% pay raises. It's good to know that a district that's apparently having declining enrollment, and just cut 30% of their teachers needs to have an assistant superintendent and an assistant to the assistant superintendent.

That's how it is around here too. They cut 30-40 jobs and the suits get their fat raises on already significant salaries. What I don't understand though, is why do we need $300 per sqft schools? Why do 14 year old kids need $8,000 cameras to learn photography? Hell, when I went to school we learned photography by bringing mom & dad's camera to school. Schools are an out of control expense that keeps sucking tax dollars and they're spending more on everything except the people who deserve it the most.

[Jenson71]

Do you plan on getting on the substituting lists? I imagine that could be a bit chaotic, however, with a young child.

Hope something comes up. I've heard of school districts in my state hiring right before school starts. It's rare, sure, but it wouldn't hurt to look.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

The main positive is it's looking like I'll be a stay at home dad for a while. My wife is heading back to work. I'll really cherish spending all of my time with my 3-year old.

Good luck.

I've been out of work since March.

The positive is when I had my son over the summer, we hung out all day, everyday.

Those times are priceless.

The silver lining in this dark cloud...

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Phobia

That's how it is around here too. They cut 30-40 jobs and the suits get their fat raises on already significant salaries. What I don't understand though, is why do we need $300 per sqft schools? Why do 14 year old kids need $8,000 cameras to learn photography? Hell, when I went to school we learned photography by bringing mom & dad's camera to school. Schools are an out of control expense that keeps sucking tax dollars and they're spending more on everything except the people who deserve it the most.

Now everybody needs 1:1 computer programs. But the administration for schools is a serious, usually unjustifiable racket.

Does anyone think a single person with a PhD in Education Administration can do much for a district? More than 3 or 4 good teachers can?

I'm skeptical. I've heard a lot of stories, though, and almost entirely from the teacher pov.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Literature

Do you plan on getting on the substituting lists? I imagine that could be a bit chaotic, however, with a young child.

Hope something comes up. I've heard of school districts in my state hiring right before school starts. It's rare, sure, but it wouldn't hurt to look.

As sickening as this makes me right now, I would get more money collecting than I could subbing.

If a long term job comes up, then I'd absolutely apply.

The only good thing is, if the district realizes they have to hire teachers, they have to call me first.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by chasedude

Forward your OP here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/su...s-and-comments

Oh and be sure to ask when and where you can pick up your bailout money.

Or your friend in Wisconsin Paul Ryan. I hear he loves teachers and unions. I'd give him a call right away.

[Earthling]

Bummer. I hope you are able to re-negotiate something with the new house.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Earthling

Bummer. I hope you are able to re-negotiate something with the new house.

Haven't contacted the bank yet to discuss that. We are pretty safe for about 3 months paying the mortgage. without any additional income.

With my wife working and what I can get collecting for a few months, we should be ok.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Or your friend in Wisconsin Paul Ryan. I hear he loves teachers and unions. I'd give him a call right away.

He's not my friend. I have no affiliations with either side. IMO they're all out of touch.