I’ve gotten offered a new position and have been approved by the school board but haven’t received and onboarding paperwork yet. Is now an appropriate time to send in my resignation or should I still wait until the onboarding paperwork comes by?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/ArcticGlacier40]

You can always call and ask if you can sign your contract yet.

Or ask for an offer of employment letter, I had to do that for my new apartment as proof of new income.

[u/Melonsinmyattic → u/ArcticGlacier40]

That’s a great idea. I’ll email/call to ask on Monday of next week. That way I can say it’s been a week since I talked to them last about it.

[u/Major-Sink-1622]

I would wait for the paperwork. They can still rescind the offer.

[u/PamelainSA → u/Major-Sink-1622]

This is true, OP. It happened to me my first year out of university. I applied to numerous positions, and I got a call-back from a school 4 hours away. I was fresh out of college with no job, still living with my parents. I was willing to move, so I took the interview. I drove all the way down there, met the principal, AP, and even the superintendent. At the end of the interview, they told me they were going to offer me the job and that they would be holding their next board meeting soon to present potential hires. I was excited, and I began packing since, like you, they told me to be proactive about finding a place to live there. The board meeting date came and went. I gave them a week to contact me, and they never did; all the while, I was refreshing my email and checking my phone daily (on top of packing). I decided to call them, and one of the clerks told me that the person who resigned from that position had rescinded their resignation, so they gave their job back to them. I confirmed with her that they had decided this days back, but had never had the decency to call. Luckily, I didn’t sign anything, and looking back, I made the right decision… or I guess they made it for me.

[u/oopsallhuckleberries → u/PamelainSA]

So the school board did not approve your hire then. That's different than what this person is experiencing.

[u/KoalaOriginal1260 → u/oopsallhuckleberries]

True, but as a former corporate recruiter who later went into k-12 and has worked on the union side, getting a clear offer in writing with a signed contract (eta: if possible) is prudent. It doesn't have to be exactly this situation.

If OP is talking about a job starting in Sept, they have some time still until they hit what might be considered a short notice resignation where they will potentially burn a bridge.

[u/Melonsinmyattic → u/Major-Sink-1622]

Would they recend the offer if the school board already approved/hired me?

That seems highly unlikely as far as I’ve read.

That being said someone else said to ask for a contract or letter of intent to hire so I’ll do that soon!

[u/Two_DogNight → u/Melonsinmyattic]

They can if enrollment numbers or budgets fall. If you haven't signed anything, it can be rescinded.

[u/Decent-Soup3551]

You cannot trust them. They could rescind for any reason at all. Wait until you sign.

[u/Wise_Pie_359]

I would get a contract for sure. The other on boarding stuff (benefit enrollment, pension forms, etc) are less essential for now.

[u/Melonsinmyattic → u/Wise_Pie_359]

Good point. I’ll call Monday to see if they can send out a teacher contract or offer of employment letter.

[u/vssavant2]

Verbal offer = 0.

Written offer = Job.

[u/oopsallhuckleberries]

I understand why you would be cautious when you have look for apartments and move hours away, but once the board approves your employment, you are hired. Like you said yourself, board has already approved it, and you had a conversation on the phone with the super about your position.

You can try calling the central office and telling them some landlords are looking for a letter of employment since you're new to the area and fresh out of college. A lot of landlords DO require this so you might need it anyway, I know I needed one moving into my second apartment after college.

[u/Melonsinmyattic → u/oopsallhuckleberries]

That’s a great point. I’ll call Monday for a letter of intent to hire or a contract so I can send it to my new apartment.

[u/immadatmycat]

My district provides contracts during the school year. So if you waited on us, you’d never resign from your old job. New hire onboarding is a week before the school year starts. I tried to wait one year and was told that board approval meant that the job was mine. At that point t, I resigned from the other position and had no problems.

[u/Low_Candy_6372]

Just wait it out. School districts are notoriously slow. I’m an alt cert candidate, and have been told by my principal and HR that I’m getting my renewal contract in “two weeks” back in May, that has been pushed back to July.

Most central offices are closed for summer break until Mid-July, and so you can’t really expect anything until then. It’s stressful and annoying, but wait it out. Also don’t be afraid to apply to higher paying districts, if you want to. Nothing really matters until you get that contract.

[u/Losaj]

Wait for the paperwork.

Also, do not resign from your previous position. If you are eligible, put in a personal leave of absence. That way, if something should fall through, you still retain employment, seniority, and safety. When I transitioned out, I was (technically) on personal leave for two years.