On 10/12/09, Confused wrote:

> So, I am at my wits in, Do
> I remainto be harrassed and treated unfair or do I get my doctor
> to write me a note explaining how the job is too stressful for
> me, which it is!

You could just ask the district to release you. There's a fine line
between saying "I quit" and "Do you mind if I quit?" If you just
quit, then they can request that ISBE suspend your license. If you
ASK to be released, with some notice, and they agree, then there's no
issue.

It sounds like they don't want you there, with all the extra duty and
what-not, so your offering to resign might be welcome. If they say
"no" and you quit, then they can screw you on your license. If your
certificate gets revoked or suspended... you're never teaching again,
even if it gets reinstated. So, if you want a release, the best
route is to ask for release but make it clear you'll fulfill your
contractual responsibilities if they say no.

The whole doctor's note thing is more complicated than you think.
It's not like you're a student getting an absence excused, where a
note scribbled on a prescription slip will do. Your doctor would
need to write a letter stating that you have a medical condition
which makes your continued employment impossible. That gets legally
sticky for doctors.

Since we're dealing with a contract and ISBE, a state agency, he
would have to be willing to testify to your disability under oath,
much the same way doctors have to be deposed in social security or
private worker's comp cases. You would be asking your doctor to
stick his neck out farther than he might be willing.

It sounds like you're having some anxiety issues that may be solved
with medication or other treatment that may not require your contract
release. If the Board wanted to play hardball, they could push for
license suspension, and your doctor would have to testify that your
anxiety is untreatable and required your terminating your employment.
Even then, ISBE still might suspend you, because they make the
rules. Is your doc willing to do that? Is that indeed the case?
Have you tried a variety of treatment options that have failed?
These questions will be asked at your hearing.

At the end of the day, the ONLY good option is to finish the year.
The plus side is that you can do a sub-par job and move on next year.
It sounds obvious you won't be rehired, and you don't want to, so
you don't really have to do a good job, just a passable job.

Good luck.

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