THE ONE WHERE MY PRINCIPAL CUT MY JOB 1999-2000: *Wichita Public Schools: Lewis Open Magnet K-5 Library

THE ONE WHERE MY PRINCIPAL CUT MY JOB 1999-2000: *Wichita Public Schools: Lewis Open Magnet K-5 Library

1999-2000 School Year Photo

I returned to work in August not enjoying my current school. I taught my weekly classes but had to be available to be a substitute SRS Reading instructor if necessary. My substituting happened frequently. The only thing that had made this all manageable was the introduction of Library automation to the Wichita Public Schools. I remember having 4th and 5th grade Library Lunch helpers that helped me in the Library. One of the fun things I allowed the kids to do was to remove the green and white library checkout cards from the books and throw them into the air as they were no longer needed.

The automation system we used was WEB CAT and it was the best technological advance of my career. It allowed me to keep better track of the students' books and simply made things easier. This was NECESSARY for me because I had little if any time beyond my contractual planning time. The lack of management time was affecting the upkeep of the Library. I felt I had no choice but to devote time beyond my contract. Brad once again picked up our kids from daycare the three days a week that I worked. On top of all this was the approach of the year 2000 or as we called it Y2K. Things had to be done to all the Technology at our School to prepare for it. As it turned out, it was” much ado about nothing”. 

Automation was a GAME CHANGER for Librarians

Because I was unhappy I began to look for other employment opportunities. I interviewed for a Library position outside of USD 259 in Goddard in the spring of 2000. I was a good candidate for the position but one of my USD 259 friends told me that if I left, I would lose out on my retirement BRIDGE. I found out that one would become “VESTED” in that pension if you stayed with the district until you were 50 years old. That seemed like a world away to a 37 year old me. After the interview I called the school in Goddard and told them I was no longer interested in the position. If I had to stay on at Lewis, I would make the best of it. I had considered beginning taking classes to earn my Masters degree since I had now “bottomed out” on the pay scale. 

Reading with a student

A few weeks after my interview in Goddard my Principal called me into his office to inform me that Lewis Open Magnet would NOT have a Librarian for the next school year. I had not understood up to that point in my LMS career that building level library positions were allocated and it was the Administrators discretion as to how to fill those allocations at their buildings. He made the decision to give my part time job to another Teacher in the building. That Teacher had a General Education endorsement, I did not. That Teacher would do a better job of Teaching Reading, something I had not trained to do. I had also questioned my Princiapl and how he had not given me the proper management time to run and upkeep a library. I learned the hard way that if you do speak up, your job might get cut.

I was absolutely shocked when my job was cut. Because I was tenured with USD 259 I was guaranteed employment. I could look for a new job or I could be placed where there was a need. Parents thought I had been fired. In my opinion it could have been handled better by my Administrator. Many Librarians across the district began losing their allocations during this time period. Situations like this were only to happen if a qualified candidate was not avaliable for the job. Somehow it was allowed. All Librarians soon learned that our jobs were never guaranteed. I remember Meg Schimmels being fired up about what had happened to me.

I interviewed for the Campus support Library position that had opened but lost out to the incredible Meg. I had known her from doing a call in a TV show about flexible scheduling a few years back for USD 259. I kept looking for jobs and nothing was available. When my Principal asked me to train my replacement I refused. I was angry and felt like if he chose to not have a certified Library Media Specialist in his Library, it was not my job to train that person. It was an uncomfortable situation for all involved. Years later my replacement I talked about what had happened and all had been forgiven/resolved. After all it was not her fault what had happened. If anything it allowed her to eventually take the classes she needed to become a full time Library Media Specialist. Although she has since moved on to another school district I do consider her to be a ROCK STAR Librarian.

I opted out of the staff year end Lewis celebration , instead I interviewed for the Library position at  Funston Elementary School.  Funston was a Technology rich building with an Administrator that supported and loved Flexible Library Scheduling.  Meg Schimmels helped me to get my new position at her school, and told me that she could not imagine anyone else but me taking her place. I had wanted to work one more year part time but knew that the opening at Funston was a fantastic opportunity for me. It was also only a 6 mile commute which was great for my family.

Look for my next blog entry on 11/6/21 titled THE ONE WHERE I GOT TO GO TO BOSTON 2000-2001: Wichita Public Schools: Funston 2-5 Library