Contract Obligations

Question

In searching for a new job, I was offered a position as a special education teacher in a southern Virgina city district. I completed the benefits paperwork, had my picture taken for a name badge, completed the drug test and was fingerprinted but never signed or received a contract. That contract has yet to be seen even though school begins in a week.

Since that time, I have received another (better) job offer at a private school in a northern Virginia school and have signed a contract and plan to start on Monday.

I have notified the city school district (both the woman who initially interviewed me via voice mail message and the HR woman who offered me the position via email - the only ways I know to contact them) that I will not be able to accept the job but have not received a response from either.

During college, we were always told that nelegcting a contract can result in suspension of your teaching license for a year. Is there any way the southern Virignia school district can say that I was committed to them and suspend my license?

Answer 1

You are correct - the district can apply to the state to suspend your credential for the length of the contract.

You need to visit the office - as signing benefits paperwork - might be considered part of a contract.

Answer 2

To be safe, I would contact your teachers union (if not a member, JOIN! It's worth the few dollars per month).

If you did not receive a formal contract, it seems doubtful that they can hold you to anything just because you completed the paperwork.  If everyone who completed paperwork was obligated, virtually anyone who applied for a job to could forced to work.