My school laid off a lot of staff, including me, because of COVID-19. As you know, when you fill out any job application for school districts these days, there's the question "Have you ever failed to be rehired, been asked to resign a position, resigned to avoid termination, or terminated from employment?" My inclination is to answer "yes" and explain that my position was no longer in need due to COVID-19, but I feel like that will filter out my application just for answering "yes," and I'm not sure if being laid off counts in the context of this question. If I answer "no," I feel like I'm lying. How would you answer this if you were laid off?
You can also simplify your answer with RIF. That is universally understood, in education, to be very different from a non-renewal due to a poor fit, etc.
I’m in the same boat. I said yes and wrote RIF due to Covid 19. Out of 12 applications I got 4 interviews so far.
Considering that there are still RIF's going on, those are not bad odds. The best thing about RIF's is that they are more subject to change as numbers and plans get solidified for the coming years. By identifying yourself as being RIF'd, your application does go into a stack with a lot more promise than those with pesky non-renewals that come with unsatisfactory evaluations. Let me wish you the best going forward.
I actually got a verbal offer but I was told nothing will be finalized until budget money comes in July. I’m continuing to interview until I get paperwork.
RIFs due to COVID are not going to be uncommon. Hiring districts are getting used to seeing that on applications nowadays, unfortunately.
That's reassuring to know; I figured that school districts would be more understanding because of the pandemic. My principal, assistant principal, and a SPED coordinator said they would be references for me. I did start applying because everything on my end is ready, but I'm waiting on my references to provide letters and complete the surveys. One of my references did complete a survey, but no letter yet. I know it's okay to submit the application before those two things are submitted by all of my references, as they can be submitted even after submitting the application itself, but does that hurt my chances? Is it better to wait until everything is ready before clicking on the final "Submit" button?
