I work in Education as an admin asst.

17 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

   Is this a public school? If so, this is determined by the school board and the local governments. If it is higher education, the same applies. Most likely, the budgets are set by the state rather than local governments. Contact your local representatives in these cases. If it is a private school, then they set their own budgets. You would have to address that through the school administration/HR department.

   Are you part of a labor union? It could have been part of a collective bargaining agreement. Your union rep would be the place to start in this case.

   As for the legality, I have no idea, but I doubt that a school district would cut pay like this if it weren't legal.

2. AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 4:08PM UTC

   It also depends if the school is public or private in both cases. If private, they don't have the local governments involved, just a school board (maybe). Higher ed is based on what the HR allows for each role and what the budget is for the upcoming fiscal year.

3. AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 4:04PM UTC

   Aren't they legally bound by the contract? Or does the contract state they can change your pay without notice? I would read it and re-read it until you fully understand it.

4. AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 7:01PM UTC

   Contracts are typically District based, not State. You have a signed contract with a specified salary. It is my understanding the failure for identifying any 'error' (especially when you are speaking of salary, benefits, bonus or any other form of compensation) in said contract PRIOR to it being signed by both parties is theirs.

   What is the point of a contract if it can be modified from original agreement without consent of both parties?

   It sounds as if you have a legally binding contract with the District. The Superintendent, although accountable to the School Board, may not be following a directive from the Board of Education with this 'move'. Make your disagreement with this attempted change known in writing as soon as possible, specifically identifying the correct amount you and the District had agreed upon. I agree with reviewing the entire contract and securing assistance from an attorney. Best of luck.

5. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 11:06AM UTC

   I don't think they can just change your contract as it would defeat the purpose of a contract. I am afraid however if you fight it, you will not be offered a contract next year.

6. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

   I’m sorry you are dealing with this. I’m sure it varies state to state but in my state typically non certificated employees don’t have an actual contract just sign a letter of reasonable assurance that they will return after summer break. If that’s not the case with you your board of education (if I’m the public realm) probably approved a scale and/or negotiated agreement. Check your schools board meeting minutes for that. If you have an employee association you can start there and as others have said contact legal counsel. I would caution you that you are likely employed at will as that is how most non certificated employees are in schools so just consider that as you weigh your options. Good luck to you.

7. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 12:59PM UTC

   I was going to say the same. Verify that you have an actual, legally-binding contract. If so, check to make sure there isn't a clause in there where specific conditions can impact your pay rate. Legal counsel can help with this. If you are a non-represented employee and don't have an association you can contact, many lawyers will give a free assessment, and if not, check with your local university to see if they have a legal student group that could help.

8. Laura SchetlickOctober 26,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

   If your contract was signed and approved by the board of education specifically stating the work is for the 23-24 SY, then be quiet at work and seek an attorney ASAP!

9. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

   Seek counsel, you did not accept a reduction in pay when you signed the contract in June.

10. Communication CoachOctober 27,2023 at 9:16PM UTC

    sometimes precedence prevails - they have been paying you an amount for a year - that created your expectations in good faith - appeal one that - it may be worth hiring an employment attorney

11. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 4:10PM UTC

    Is it legal, yes, pay rates can change though speaking with a lawyer about this specific contract may net you something. Do you have to accept it, no. Find a place where they at least cover cost of living increase because if you are going to be paid less than last year and not covered for COLA then you are losing twice. There are tons of other roles where your value will be worth more...speak up!

12. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 5:14PM UTC

    A contract is a legally binding agreement between parties involved, Read your contract, and if does not state anything about a change in remuneration, then SUE THEM, especially if you are part of the BAME group.

13. maria roseOctober 26,2023 at 5:48PM UTC

    You stated that you were hired in 2022 ( prior to the school year 2022-2023) in June so technically your contract was for the school year September 2022-June 2023 even though you were hired in June 2022. Unfortunately with school budget costs, they are based on agreements made by a previous contract to the year stated ( it’s been my peeve since I first found out that school employees are guaranteed to get paid based on their contracts whether or not they’re physically present at work when the teachers were getting paid during the pandemic years and supposedly remote teaching all their students) Rather than continuing a discussion on that, am using that to explain why you were told one pay rate in June 2022 which was the going rate for that ending school year September 2021-June 2022, but changed for the year you were hired for September 2022-June 2022.

    I suggest you research in detail ( with legal help if possible) all the fine print of your contract to find out if this is the reason for your pay rate being changed to a lower rate which is probably the real going rate of pay. During the pandemic years certain pay rates were made higher because of the emergency status and extra funding which is no longer available. I hope you can resolve this issue but I highly doubt you will get the rate higher rate and it will be your choice to finish out the year contract while looking for a new position with a possible higher pay rate

14. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 7:15PM UTC

    I am in HR at a school system, and I feel the pain. We unfortunately just had to lay off 7 very good people. I would double check the:

    1) Dates of the contract;

    2) specified pay (either salary or hourly)

    3) make sure there is nothing that says they can change based on enrollment (I think that's private only)

    Good Luck.

15. AnonymousNovember 16,2023 at 4:26PM UTC

    As an aside, I was also let go ~ a couple of weeks later. Our contracts (which I helped write) included one month salary after being gone. That is helping right now, but it is scary ~ luckily I know how to pivot in my careers. Good luck again to you.

16. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 7:19PM UTC

    If you are on contract basis, accept it or not. You can go to the legal rep for the school if this is breaking the contract that was already signed if it's a disruption in the dates as mentioned specifically in that contract. CAUTION - read your contract first.

17. Liz MilneOctober 28,2023 at 12:19AM UTC

    No, no, no, no! You (and presumably someone at that company) have a signed contract at the higher rate! They legally have to pay you that unless you sign an agreement to work for the lower rate! I'm not at all litigious but this would have me hunting down a lawyer's number and telling my superintendent that it is a completely unacceptable situation!