8 month contracts

[ckfdv2424]

Now lately I have been seeing some job posting advertising 8 month contracts for Gepik elementary schools. My school told me about 3 weeks ago that there was no more money and that my contract would be ending on it's original date. Then they came back 2 weeks ago and told me that there was money for another year. Then just last week they came back and asked if I would be willing to do a 8 mo contract instead. May to Dec. My current contract ends at the end of April. I told them that I would think about it. I have decided against it because if I sign a year contract and they let me go in Dec, I have no recourse if something goes down. They told me that I would get a severance for the time worked but I am not entitled to a plane ticket home. I further realized that there is no way for the school to officially document that they allowed me to work for the 8 mos therefor I'm pretty sure that the records would have to show that I've been terminated. I would loose my deposit, plane ticket, last month pay and severance pay as well. I am writing this to find out if any of you guys out there have heard of anything like this going on. With the budget cuts going on I honestly don't feel safe right about. I am sad though, because I have been at my school for 3 years, but unfortunately my principal is not a very honest person.

[travelinpantsgirl]

I have not heard of this specifically but I know GEPIK is cutting everywhere, so I think you are wise to decline. I would say either they give you the full year and you stay for the full year or go home at the end of the contract.

[gringairlandesa]

I'm six months into my contract.

I was informed yesterday by my coworker that she had just spoken with the vice principal and that:

- The current funding we have to pay my salary only goes through April.
- The vice principal has filled out the paperwork requesting money from city hall to pay me May through September (the end of my contract) and that he "thinks it will be possible to get the money."
- Unfortunately they will not be able to offer me a renewal (no real skin off my back as I decided in the last week that I wouldn't return to my school another year).

I asked her if they will have the money to pay me through the end of my contract or not. She just kept repeating that it can be possible. The vice principal THINKS it will be POSSIBLE? I don't know if this is a miscommunication or if there's a chance I'll show up to work one day and they will say "oh by the way, we don't have any more money to pay you so we're ending your contract". Can they do that?

I've heard about budget cuts and everything, so I was half-expecting a situation like this. I also thought I was pretty safe since I'm in a larger/model school in terms of its English program. This came from left field and now I'm thinking about all of the what ifs and it's driving me nuts.

Anyone else going through something similar?

[tfuller]

When i first arrived here i was offered an 8 month contract.
It was exactly the same as the next contract i signed, with flights home etc but with no severance because it was shorter than a year. Look at the contract, and if it is identical to the one you have now, except for the start and end dates, then i don't see any issues arrising from signing the new one.

[gilbert.a.h]

Check with your EPIk/GEPIK office coordinator or the local area coordinator. Tell them the problem and they will either give you advice or call the school and get the exact info.

At my previous school, and here for the most part, everything is dealt in words such as "maybe" or "possible." I haven't had anything bad happen yet, but they never give a firm answer, even if they have one.