Yes, I have joined the throng of unemployed people in this country.
Today we discovered that the 5 member school board voted 4-1 in favor of laying off SEVENTY teachers in my school district. 70, folks.
We now have the dubious distinction of being the district who is laying off the most teachers in the entire San Gabriel Valley. Yay us. Not.
For me, it is really a non-issue, because I had planned to leave after this year anyway to move up to WA after I get married. But there are others that do not have plans like that. There are 3 others at my school...1 who is divorced and a homeowner, another who has a son at Berkeley, and another who is a newlywed. 50 of those laid off are from the 2 middle schools in the district.
The district is facing a huge, huge upheaval if all of these lay offs remain intact. Upper grade classrooms are supposed to increase now to 34 students. Primary grades are going up to 25 students. Those little bungalow classrooms are going to be bursting at the seams. They are not made for more than 20 students.
Several elementary school teachers--those who are keeping their jobs--are going to be transferred to fill in the holes at the middle schools.
I am INCREDIBLY LUCKY that I'm starting a new chapter in my life (of my own choosing) right when my district is falling apart, but I feel very bad for my colleagues--all of them--and the kids. All of our hard work to raise their test scores is going to be for nothing now that class sizes are going to be increased.
What a sad, sad mess. I'm so glad to be outta there!!
3 comments:
Our district here is facing the same depressing challenges. Lots of recent growth and national recognition soon to be jeopardized by scores of layoffs. Last year, they ended up getting new budget money at the last minute and re-hired a bunch of the teacher they had laid off. I think we're all hoping for that again.
Glad the pink slip came this year and not last year. How many times can you honestly say you don't care about being fired?? =) Now you have happier things to move on to!! =)
The photos are so pretty. You guys look really happy and natural, not 'posed'. I am so, so, so happy for you that you already had plans for marriage and leaving before your news, but it must be really terrible for so many people in your district.
Thanks, ladies. It is a strange feeling. Even though my plans to move were already set, it is an emotional thing to be laid off. Thanks for your comment on the pictures, Sally. It was a fun photo session. That cheerful black and white one will accompany the invitations mainly because it does look so natural and happy. :-)
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