Advice over new job

[Canisius]

I could use some of our advice.  I am currently working in a public school, married, with a child, aven't received a pay raise in three years (and with inflation and a 20% rise in insurance each year effectively a pay cut). and it's a very hostile work conditions, both from students and administration.  It's caused a lot of stress, but at least we're able to stay afloat due to the medical bills we've encountered this year, we've all, from my daughter to myself, been admitted to the emergency room at least once).  However, I recently received a job offer from a charter school run by a riend of a friend.  They're catholic and understand the true idea of education and a great working environment with scholarly colleagues.  However it's a 6000 dollar paycut  and not as secure as mine.  It does receive a 4% raise each year (depends on the legislature).  I guess I'm asking as the bread winner for my family what do you view to be a better course.  The new choice seems to offer a good opportunity long= ter, but financially the current one is better short term.  Thanks in advance.

[Atomagenesis]

Can you renegotiate the contract with the Catholic school? Say a 3000$ pay cut instead? I couldn't imagine working at a public school, it must be really difficult.

I think honestly the happiness of working at a Catholic school would outweigh the pay, but then again, the economy is so volatile right now, and public school kids need good teachers who aren't psychotic liberals.

Anyway, I would try and re-negotiate the offer or tell the public school you're going to leave if they don't give you a raise, 3 years with no raise is complete BS.

[Tim]

In this enviornment it has to be a dollar and cents calculation. In short is it possible to make it on the new salary ? Another consideration is usually the last hired is the first fired if things change.

tim

[DrBombay]

Could you take the new job and do private tutoring on the side to make up the difference?  Make up some flyers and spread them amongst friends and family. 

Just a piece of advice if you go this route.  Make sure your wife or another adult is present at all times while you have a stranger's kid in your house.  No need to risk false accusations ruining your life.  Sad that we have to worry about such things but it's the world we live in.

[Canisius]

Can you renegotiate the contract with the Catholic school? Say a 3000$ pay cut instead? I couldn't imagine working at a public school, it must be really difficult.

I think honestly the happiness of working at a Catholic school would outweigh the pay, but then again, the economy is so volatile right now, and public school kids need good teachers who aren't psychotic liberals.

Anyway, I would try and re-negotiate the offer or tell the public school you're going to leave if they don't give you a raise, 3 years with no raise is complete BS.

I'm going to ask them on Tuesday, but I don't think so.  And I would love the ease, but perhaps as I told my wife, the poppycock (I never had training in frisking kids, in grad school) might be my way out of Purgatoryy and out family as well if it's offered up.  And, yes, you do get to make a difference in ideology, positive that is.  But you're treated very poorly in the public sector and frankly I can understand why a lot just "do their job."  On the public schools, it's not my choice.  Texas has cut 5 billion to public schools so it's about 100 people applying for each job.  Especially as 20,000 people were laid off in the state, you have a lot of millenials coming up the pipes and many baby boomers aren't retiring due to the recession.  So you complain, you're told be thankful you have a job.

[Canisius]

Could you take the new job and do private tutoring on the side to make up the difference?  Make up some flyers and spread them amongst friends and family. 

Just a piece of advice if you go this route.  Make sure your wife or another adult is present at all times while you have a stranger's kid in your house.  No need to risk false accusations ruining your life.  Sad that we have to worry about such things but it's the world we live in.

Well that's interseting that you brought that up as I get about three thousand extra doing Saturday work and writing curriculum for the state now and that wouldn't be available there, so it's looking at a 9000 pay cut.

[Canisius]

In this enviornment it has to be a dollar and cents calculation. In short is it possible to make it on the new salary ? Another consideration is usually the last hired is the first fired if things change.

tim

That's true and that's what my wife and I discussed.  I was going back and forth and finally as I told her, we need to discuss this, not as friends, or as individuals in love, or professionals, but parents and spouses in a vacation, what do we want for our family, and can we do it on this salary.  And I don't think we can.  However, we shall pray about it and also pray that one of the other schools in June (that are better and don't have smoke bombs going off and do give AOL raises comes through).

[Canisius]

Well, I went back to the charter and told them why we could not take the job finacially and got a return offer of doing curriculum work and paying for a masters.  We have to wait and see tomorrow as to what the superintendent says, so please pray that it may come to pass, but it would be wonderful if it does.   Thanks for all your advice.

[jonbhorton]

Sounds like a heck of a counteroffer. A Master's ain't cheap. Would that rope you in to a certain contractual period of obligation to "pay back" the Master's?

By curriculum work, do you mean development of curriculum for the teachers?

Either way, sounds like they really want you.

[Tim]

Canisius that sounds grand. The money for a Masters is saying two things, one they want you, and two they want you to stay. I'd counsel to get it in writing, just to safeguard you and your family. If you and the wife and kids can make it on the dollars, it sounds like a real opportunity.

tim