Bittersweet

For the last 3 years my job has always been uncertain from year to year. Who would have thought that after 11 years of teaching I would need to worry about losing my job. That is how bad the state of California is in. We are losing some wonderful veteran teachers who love doing what they do because the state can't get it together and seems to be digging themselves into a deeper hole. I have some great ideas on how to fix the budget - but that would be a whole other blog - and one that might be offensive to some - so we'll leave that topic alone.

Every January all the prospective budget cuts are discussed and I start sitting on pins and needles wondering if I will get cut. This year was the same and I decided I was not going to let all this crap effect what kind of teacher I am. I could easily go into a tailspin and be sucked into all the negativity that occurs. Instead I avoided being wrapped up in the "what ifs" and decided to take it as it comes. Really what more can I do? It is not productive to sit and wallow in what might happen. And today I got the great news that I am spared once again - for now. I felt such a sense of relief and joy. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. But then I remembered . . .

That in the very same minute that I felt joy - someone else was crushed. My heart was saddened for all those teachers who will not be spared. As of right now teachers who were hired after October of 2001 need to go to a reduction in force meeting. Now think about this. These are people who have taught for 10 years.

For the last 3 years I have had a new kinder teammate each year because of all the budget cuts. My heart is so sad for these friends and many other wonderful teachers who have no idea where their career is going from year to year. What school will they be at? What grade? Or if they will have a job at all. I am so sorry to all those wonderful people. It is wrong.

And then . . . another slap in the face. We find out that our superintendent of instruction, human resources, and finances all just renewed their contract until the year 2015. What does that mean? It means they were looking out for themselves to make sure they are ok. One of the propositions was to cut one superintendent to save money (after all they do make $200,ooo a year). So they made sure that could not happen. In this time of budget cuts, salary reductions,teachers losing jobs, larger class sizes etc. they go behind closed doors to lock in their contract.

I am so disappointed. I thought I worked for people with more integrity, humanity, and morals. How can they sit safe when the district is looking at a bare bones system. Some of the proposals made to save money are: no librarians, 80% principals, 5 hour health clerks, maintenance will only mow when necessary, cutting custodial duties, secretaries at 80%, class sizes at 32, less salary for teachers, and getting rid of 50 teachers. And . . .the school board approved their contracts. What is wrong with this picture?

In the long run - it all trickles down to the kids. The kids pay the price. My own children pay the price. And I hate that. I know it happens in big business all the time - it's very cut throat. I wanted to think (naive me) that this was not a business - that it is a school where we are educating children for the future. I was wrong.