Good grief,life is never dull. My apologies to be sure and I suppose one should say good luck, but that seems awkward.

I hope that give you some preference, since you have experience in that specific position!

I don't know where you are, but I am glad I am not there.

Are you in Crawfordsville?

It sounds to me like your employer has all the qualities of a dog, except loyalty.

I have to re-apply and re-interview if I want to keep my job.

Are you sure you really want to keep your job? Based on what you've described here and in the past, it sure sounds like this principal doesn't want you there.

It's really hard to work with a boss who wants you gone. What makes you think she would even consider bringing you back, anyway? It sounds to me like this is a convenient excuse to get rid of you without firing you (and being on the hook for unemployment benefits).

You are the object of studied, calculated, disrespect and contempt. Go! And shake the dust off your sandals as quickly as you can. And hold your head high!

It possibly could give me more musical authority over the parish and the school. It would definitely elevate me to a position nearly equal to that of the principal, since effectively, I would report to her on matters regarding the school, but directly to the pastor on matters regarding the liturgy and other parish items. It might actually put more strain on the relationship between the parish side and the school side to have the same person do both jobs. The position actually seems tailor-made for me: the job would involve teaching K-5 general music (which I already do, 5 years experience), 6-8 band (which I already do, 7 years of experience), K-8 Spanish (which I already do, 5 years of experience), and oversee the music program at the parish level (which I have already done at another parish, which I recently left, 3 years experience). Now, how many people do you know that could successfully pull all of that off?

The candidate would have to do effectively 4 jobs: general music teacher, band director, Spanish teacher, and parish music director.

Yes, we've actually been told that we cannot collect unemployment from the diocese.

Yeah, why do church employers violate the social teachings of the church?

And also avoid the fairness of unemployment insurance?

Here's a routine reminder: Write with future readers in mind.

I can see them reading and thinking, WHY DID THEY EVEN BOTHER TO WORK FOR A CHURCH! REPRESSION!

- -= -= - - -

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
As a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit church organization the Catholic Diocese of Wichita is exempt from participation in the Federal and State unemployment compensation pools. An employee who leaves employment with the Diocese will not have the ability to collect unemployment benefits based on earnings with the Diocese. However, if employed less than a year by the Diocese, an employee may contact the local unemployment office to inquire about eligibility for unemployment benefits based on earnings from a previous employer.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It's a lie...it's a spin on reality.

"As a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit church organization the Catholic Diocese of Wichita is exempt from participation"

It should read:

As a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit church organization the Catholic Diocese of Wichita may be exempt from participation

Is there also a music director in the parish being squeezed out by this same procedure?

If I were just a wee bit cynical, I might think that the process is a sham, designed for the installation of some connected person who needs a job.

Anyway, here's a question for discussion: if CK can get a job offer elsewhere, should he leave before the end of the school year? How about before the end of Holy Week?

Most Catholic church contracts are written so that they may be ended without a reason by either party at any time. Is yours different?

Still, it's a point of honour, having given one's word and signed a document.
One does what's honourable because of who one is,
not because of who or what others are.

There are few Catholic jobs where leaving isn't worth the 10% penalty...

And few have succeeded in working for change against so powerful system.

Or an excuse to get rid of someone you can't otherwise legally get rid of.

Does that really matter? From what I've heard, no matter how a musician is terminated (except, perhaps, death) the only repercussions on the parish are a notice from the AGO to members to the effect that "Persons may not apply for such-and-such"; which is then overturned in a fortnight with a notice to the effect that "Problems have been resolved, and persons may apply for such-and-such".

I understand that the AGO grievance procedure no longer exists, so even that rather weak avenue of redress is closed.

CK, I am sorry to hear about the difficult situation with your teaching position has become shaky. I will remember you in my prayers during this coming week! (And I wouldn't mind prayers in return for Holy Week, upcoming decision-making, etc.)

Yeah... are you fluent in Spanish? We really need some translations (especially of the back of the PBC instructions) and compositions of chant propers for Spanish liturgies...