major overhaul at my school - what do I do?

[valeriemouse]

I have a dilemma to pick your minds with -

My school is going through major changes. It is a N-8 Episcopal School and I am a full time middle school teacher.

Well - I have a feeling the higher ups will be moving all of the middle school teachers to part time as of this September doing the same exact job we are doing now but obviously getting paid less for it. I have applications out to other schools and I'm putting feelers out to see if a different school would be a possibility. Not that I don't love my kids and my school - I just would also love to be able to financially support myself and not work for free, lol.

Anyway, the protocol is usually we get our contracts mailed out in June/July and have to mail them back sometime in August. Word going around is that next week we will have to go to school for a meeting (mind you, school ended 2 weeks ago) and then sit one on one with the Rector to receive our contracts and then SIGN THEM RIGHT THEN AND THERE. What?? How can I sign something I have not fully gone over? Or had time to think about? This seems like an intimidation tactic and I don't know what to do. This was my first job out of college, I'm only in my mid twenties. Is it possible for me to be fed with an ultimatum like, "sign this now or you're fired."

Anyone know what my rights would be in this situation? Or any advice on what I should do because at this point I'm all out of answers and stressed to the max.

Thanks in advance to anyone with any words of wisdom

 

[muscarello4]

I would refuse to sign, if and only if I knew that they could not easily fill my spot with another teacher. Not all teachers are easily replaced. If you've got something special, you might be able to play your hand. If not, sign or move on. (I wouldn't take a PT position.)

Seems like you could do better. Good luck!

 

[tink&stitchmom]

How easy is it to get out of the contract if you sign it and continue to look elsewhere? I know it's not the best option but it sounds like they're giving you no choice. My district gave out contracts in April for Aug. and just last week 2 teachers who had found jobs in different districts were released of their contracts.

 

[lastminutemom]

Take a deep breath. Sometimes rumors are just rumors. One possibility, though, is that they are cutting all the teachers' hours to be part time. Another possibility is that nothing is going to change.

Are there teaching jobs available in your community? In many places, there aren't. I would scope out the situation immediately.

Given that it is a private school, I am not sure if they can really go after you for breaking a contract.

 

[valeriemouse]

Thanks for your replies!

USUALLY, you have to give a months notice if you are opting out of your contract. But - these are brand new contracts and I have no idea what they will say. I also know that a teacher last year opted out a week before school started and there were no repercussions for her.

So I don't know what is going to happen

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I am not sure if this is the case in NY, but in IL, you would be able to collect some unemployment if you have a reduction in hours. My mom did it for a long time. I would be checking now, so you have all the facts.

Sorry you have to deal with this stress!!

 

[disneyandme]

This is a private school, and , sorry to say, they can pretty much do whatever they want. If you are concerned, I would tell them you would like time to read it over carefully. I still use the line that I come from a family of lawyers and am not allowed to signed anything I haven't read carefully twice. If they won't let you take it home and read it, then sit there and read it over nad ask questions about any items that concern you. Make notes on the contract of any explanations they give you and have the rector and yourself initial each item. I taught in 3 different areas and contracts can contain soem pretty ridiculous things, so read before you sign- especially in these economic times.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I agree with the above poster. If they say you have to sign right there, take as much time as you need to read and fully-understand the contract. Don't let them pressure you into signing too quickly for your comfort.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Do you have a friend from college that took law.. or looks like they took law? Bring them to the meeting

 

[phred52]

Do you have a friend from college that took law.. or looks like they took law? Bring them to the meeting

Yes!! YES!! If you were MY DD with these concerns I KNOW my sister would happily bring a book and sit in the parking lot waiting .... to see IF the issue of signing the contract on the spot arose. If it did, my DD would bring in her Aunt to "help" her read over the contract BEFORE signing. Sister has been a lawyer 30 years and is terrific about things like this...

OP, I wish you luck! Please do let us know what happens!

 

[valeriemouse]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I DO have a friend that is a lawyer and I think I will ask if he will be available when I find out when I have to go in. It is a great idea.


I just know I'm going to be looking at a completely different contract and I think it is awful if they try and bully us into signing things we haven't had an adequate chance to look over, or even a chance to look at it without someone from the church looking over my shoulder or breathing down my neck while I'm reading it. I really don't want to be taken advantage of.

 

[richmond282]

Wow. I've never taught in private school so I don't know how it all works. However, IF this goes down the way rumor says it will, I would tell them I want 24 hours to look over the contract. I don't think that's an unreasonable request (They may not agree.) Just make sure you get back to them in 24 hours or less. I've done that several times when offered a job.

 

[3girlsfun]

This is one of the reasons that working in a private school would make me nervous. (Not to mention, they normally pay less, at least around here.) If there are rumors going around, why not go in and talk with the principal........ Just another avenue.

I would definitely be putting out resumes!

Although around my area, there are 0 teaching jobs available. I would not take a part time contract though. That is terrible. Sorry you are in this situation, totally stinks!

 

[srferson]

I'd love the idea of bringing a lawyer.

Mostly because if they were planning to catch me off guard, I'd enjoy catching them off guard too. I mean, who just whips out a lawyer at a moment's notice?

Sorry you even have to be worrying about it though.

 

[valeriemouse]

Thanks for all of the support

Teaching jobs around here are next to nothing. Even the prospects I have on the horizon are Catholic schools. The good thing however is I have 2 interviews and a demo under my belt with one of them, so hopefully it comes through.

My thing is I don't want to sign ANYTHING before I hear back from the school I'm hoping to work in. I know that at this point it seems unlikely that will happen. The thing that really gets under my skin is that I'm somehow expected to stop my life and react to being summoned to my school at somepoint next week on short notice and having to cater to that. I have a life - my school year is over. I have a summer job. How am I supposed to drop everything and go?

 

[DisneyDreams4]

I know the catholic schools on long island are going thru major changes too. they have offered packages to teachers to try reduce salaries but some of these teachers have been teaching their grades for so long and know their stuff. One teacher has outfits and matching shoes for different holidays.
It is sad that some of the teachers are leaving but the package was too good to refuse if you were thinking of retiring. who knows if they offer anything next year. beside losing some of our teachers we also lost our principal. she was a wonderful person. the only good new was our assist principal became the principal.

good luck with your decision

 

[disneyandme]

OP- any updates?

 

[mytripsandraces]

Your lawyer friend should be able to tell you how long you have after signing the agreement to rescind. I think it's 3 days in New York, but I'm not sure. Having a lawyer there would be a good idea, if the rumor is true.

 

[valeriemouse]

OP here.

No news yet. I haven't even gotten so much as a phone call from my school asking me to come in. Mind you, this is a contract I should have seen at least 2 weeks ago, as per my original contract states. This is so frustrating.

UGH!

Thanks for the support

 

[3girlsfun]

I would put in a phone call or email to the principal.......I would ask when you are to expect a contract!