Ai-Chi Hua Hua

Posted on 6/09/09

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OK folks, this story is a bit drawn out, but please read
through, and then feel free to provide commentary about
what I experienced.

In late October 2007, I applied as an Adult Ed sub teacher,
for a So. Cal school district, which shall remain anonymous.
The interview was pleasant and went well, and the director
of the Adult Ed program told me that the only thing she
needed to do was submit my completed paperwork to HR (which
I submitted to the director at the time of my interview),
get approval from the district's school board for my hiring-
-a "mere formality"--and that I would be hearing from her
right after Veteran's Day, in regards to what subjects she
wanted me to sub for the Adult Ed program.

Due to the extremely high security filters this district
has on it's e-mail, I ended up faxing my "thank you" note
to the Adult Ed. director for the interview, and then with
eagerness, waited to hear from her after Veteran's
Day......And waited.....And waited.....And waited.
Unfortunately, between dealing with the 2007 Holiday
Season, as well as with personal/family health issues, I
was unable to follow up with this director, until after the
New Year 2008.

Of course, having forgotten about this district's high e-
mail security filter, I was unable to send my e-mail to the
director. However, the only person that did not have such
a high security filter was the Superintendent of the
district, and I sent him a polite, apologetic e-mail,
explaining the situation with my interview, as well as the
challenge of getting through by e-mail.

About a week later, I get what looked like
a "canned/formal" e-mail from the Adult Education director
that interviewed me in October '07, apologizing for not
following up with me after Veteran's Day, and stating that
the reason the hiring process didn't proceed any further
was due to the fact that the district underwent budget cuts
and due to limited funding, she couldn't hire substitutes
for Adult Ed.

Funny thing is, I follow the district's hearings and web
site, and there was no discussion of budget cuts and/or
hiring freezes, prior to my application to the position, or
after I received the Adult Ed director's "apology". In
fact, the only drastic action this district took during
California's economic crisis, was to do a hiring freeze--
and not until September '08 (BTW, the good news is that
district recently hired a bunch of K-12, substitute
teachers--including "your's truly").

I felt like I'd been "BS'd" by this director, but given the
high e-mail filter, and the tone of her e-mail, I felt it
was wise to let the matter drop, and move on. However, now
that I've been hired by this district as a K-12 sub, I'm
concerned as to what my happen if I run into this director
in the course of my sub assignments, i.e., I'm not looking
for a confrontation, but what if she brings up the matter
in the course of discussion?

Any constructive/practical advice is welcome.

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