We had a meeting yesterday after school outlining the district's plan to trim our school by 12+ teachers (they want to make us a K-5th grade school rather than a K-8th school). One of the teachers asked, "How will this affect some other positions like the technology resource position?" In other words, "Will Nate lose his job?"

The principal answered that the site budget was going to be reviewed right after the meeting and certain positions like mine would be looked at in light of the pitiful balance sheet projected for next year.

This morning I got to school trying not to act too eager to hear my fate. It didn't take long, though, before our secretary (and chief economist) broke it to me that not only was my position not affordable next year, I would also be among the 12+ teachers being excessed.

This means that I will have a paid job teaching next year, but it could be almost anywhere doing almost anything. And as an aside, our district is planning to raise minimum class sizes next year. This means each school in the district will need fewer classrooms, and thus fewer teachers. There are going to be a ton of excess teachers floating around this summer, and I don't think enough teachers are retiring to provide vacant spots for all of us. The district offered a "golden handshake" to entice people to retire, but I really don't think they sweetened the pot enough to get the results they need. Thus, I really could end up doing some odd job next year like sharpening pencils in a warehouse until a classroom opens up.

It's amazing how the horrible economic meltdown I wrote about earlier is now directly affecting my specific little job.

The optimistic part of this story is that there is still a chance our school will add 8th grade next year, in which case, most of us, but not all, would be safe.

And in full disclosure mode, the even-more-optimistic part of this story is that God is good and I am in His hands. I can rest assured that His plan, whatever it may be, is not only good, but it is the best possible place for me to be.