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.

[Imon Yourside]

I have a teacher that works for me that was laid off, he couldn't be happier since he left the profession. He also has a young (2 year old) son and feels as if the change in direction did him good. Hang in there bro, and pray a lot as it DOES help!

[Aries Walker]

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.

I guarantee that when you're 90 and on your deathbed, the time with your three-year-old will be what you remember. And, by the way, what your three-year-old remembers.

Hang in there.

[Jenson71]

More positives:

- No worthless teacher meetings to start your days off
- Doing special education analysis and experiments with chiefsplanet posters
- Not having to worry about living that dream of showing up to school in just your briefs
- Not dealing with spoiled kids whose parents didn't hit them enough

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by chasedude

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

Bye!

[|Zach|]

The field hockey part and the 4% administrator raise part would be the ****ing crazy mother**** you angles in all of this.

[btlook1]

Good luck bad guy! If nothing comes up for awhile enjoy the time with your child. Who knows maybe it will be for the best!

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Also, my mother ****ing furlough paperwork is all dated July 16. I didn't get a phone call until July 27th. 11 days would have made a ton of difference as 5 special ed. jobs close to me were all filled at that time.

That's BS there.

[TLO]

The whole situation seems like complete BS. Good luck to you. If nothing else enjoy this time with your young one.

[DJay23]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Also, my mother ****ing furlough paperwork is all dated July 16. I didn't get a phone call until July 27th. 11 days would have made a ton of difference as 5 special ed. jobs close to me were all filled at that time.

This is the part I don't get. My district's business runs July 1 through June 30. Our budget has to be written and approved by the board before June 30 each year. The school year before last we had a budget shortfall where 10 teachers were going to be let go. Our union, school board, and super made sacrifices (we took a pay freeze) to help these people out but we had to make all decisions before June 30 at the latest. Assuming most districts operate the same way, I don't see how they can come to you so late in the summer and let you go.

Also, maybe I misunderstood this, but I was told that in PA a school board can't let a teacher go as a cost cutting measure, they have to cut an entire program. One of the big deals here was that they were going to get rid of our middle school chorus teacher and to do so they were cutting middle school chorus. Are they cutting your program?

[Saulbadguy]

They just did layoffs where I work. Kind of crazy. People that were laid off have the option of "bumping" people that are on their original probation (6 months).

That would suck taint.

[Predarat]

I have went through this in recent years myself, its damn tough. You experience a huge array of emotions. Vent all you need, its good for you.

[tooge]

that sucks man. I hope you get back on your feet soon and I hope your time with your kid ends up making this all turn out for the better anyhow. I don't condone it, but sort of understand how people go postal.

[CaliforniaChief]

Really sorry to read this OP, TBG.

It can be really maddening when you stop and think about the injustices here. But you have no control over those things. None of us do. So your choice to focus on the blessing of being there for your child and facing the future with courage is awesome.

You are a good guy, doing significant work. Keep your head up, and I just can't believe that something awesome won't pop up.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

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.

Sounds like you did a good job for the district, and likely nobody has anything against you.

What you're experiencing when you went to clean out your room was the I-cannot-face-suffering side of our culture. They're scared and they don't know what to say. Instead of looking you in the eye and talking to you, they'd rather clean that smartboard one more time.

You're fighting a battle they've been training for all their lives, except for when they're training for their next half marathon.

Organize a 10k for your situation. They might come a runnin.

Hope you find a good fit somewhere. Maybe some teacher will go on IR and you'll get a call?

[BIG_DADDY]

Any chance of teaching in a private school?