What happened with Phoenix schools? (find a job, school districts, live)

[shiphead]

I don't know if this is the news blowing up figures, which they do, but she was telling me the current unemployed teachers in Arizona is 4500.

Is this true? What happened?

[Finger Laker]

our lovely leaders can't put together a budget or fiscal plan to save their lives

big budget cuts

this has been news for months now about teacher layoffs

some schools, aside from cutting pay, are also putting in potential furlough plans

it is only going to get worse next year as well

[shiphead]

My wife is scared she won't be able to find a job in the next school year.

She is a 9 year teacher and certified, these school districts are basing the people kept on years of loyalty vs experence and qualifications. Wonder why they would base it off of loyality? Is this how it is in all states or just Arizona?

[Finger Laker]

yes - years tenured is very important

right now a lot of the people who have been cut are teachers with only 1 or two years experience (or years in a district)

also specials teachers, subjects like history, academic advisors and teacher support positions tend to have a bullseye on them

a lot of districts are trying really hard to keep their tenured teachers - most districts will be presenting contracts pretty soon, which will help determine the landscape a little bit

then stimilus funding will factor in

many contracts are being offered at flat or a decrease

definitely not like it was a few years ago where if you had a pulse you could stumble into a teaching job here and AZ was actively recruiting other states for teaching candidates

as always math/science will be high demand, sped is usually pretty safe as well

the districts will still need to fill some positions for sure, it will just be more competative - definitely work on networking and making some inroads

i think next year has the potential to be pretty scary