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Updated: 9:27 AM Jun 29, 2009
Dawes Closes, Secretary Without a Job
Lincoln, Neb. Less than two years ago, dozens of LPS teachers, staff and administrators were told their jobs were ending, with the closing of two LPS schools. Now, keys have been turned in, and the doors closed, yet some, are still struggling to find another job.
Posted: 9:20 AM Jun 29, 2009Reporter: Alicia Myers Email Address: alicia.myers@kolnkgin.com |
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19 Comments 
Less than two years ago, dozens of LPS teachers, staff and administrators were told their jobs were ending, with the closing of two LPS schools.
Now, keys have been turned in, and the doors closed, yet some, are still struggling to find another job.
Answering phones, taking notes, and numerous other tasks, have been the focus of secretary Linda McPherson's professional life for many years.
"I've been at Dawes for 10 years. I've been working for LPS for 18 years," said McPherson.
After all those years, McPherson will soon be out of a job, as the doors of Dawes Middle School close for the final time.
"They told us to get our resume in order, because we no longer had a job, so they left us hanging with no place to go, and nothing to do," said McPherson.
The announcement first came in August 2007, when LPS decided to re-organize the district, by closing two schools, Hawthorne Elementary and Dawes.
"We've known about it for two years, but I guess the reality never really set in until a couple months ago," said McPherson.
Contractual staff, such as administration, teachers and counselors, were guaranteed a job within the district.
Dr. Nancy Biggs, Associate Assistant Superintendent with human resources at LPS, says that's not the case for secretaries like McPherson, and many other staff members.
"They do not have a contract that guarantees them continuing employment within the district," said Biggs. "Those people are offered the opportunity to apply for anything that's open in the district at another school, and then interview, and if they are selected, to transfer to that job."
McPherson says that's exactly what she has done.
"I do have my resume ready, and I have given my resume to everybody I've interviewed with," said McPherson.
Fourteen applications and four interviews later, McPherson says she still has no leads.
"Sometimes, it takes time to find jobs where there is a match," said Biggs. "When they get to the interview, it really is based on the knowledge and skills they're bringing to the job, and their match to what that school, or that location needs."
McPherson says she feels as if she is being pushed out, after being told she looked too old, and personal information was disclosed in an interview.
"Eighteen years. No job. Gray hair. Hiring people younger than I am. Medical information disclosed. (They're) supposed to give me first consideration over new hires. It's just not happening for me," said McPherson.
Biggs says anytime an employee is believed to be of no value to the district, they are let go.
Plus, she says the district is not yet done hiring.
"We still have the rest of June, all of July, and a lot of August," said Biggs.
As those first few days of July approach, McPherson says if she still has not been placed in a new position, "I have to file for unemployment after eighteen years."
McPherson's last day at Dawes is July 2.
She says Friday morning, she plans to file for unemployment.
McPherson says she is not alone. Several other secretaries are still searching for jobs.
Meanwhile, Biggs says LPS encouraged staff to begin searching for jobs when the news was first announced.
LPS also held several workshops to assist in the job process.
Latest Comments
I'm not sure I understand. She had 2 years notice that she may have to find a new job, and she only now starts to look, and feels that LPS has done her wrong? It's a shame that a job she enjoys is coming to an end, and it does take time and effort to find a new one. That said, I am older and have "gray hair", and I would not be so foolish as to just let things slide for 2 years (undoubtedly grousing about it during coffee breaks) and not making an effort to ensure that I have options once the end was reached. I certainly wouldn't suggest that it was unfair of my employer to hurt my feelings, which some posters have earnestly argued here. I have to agree with Cheese. BTW, if Linda was REALLY told not to interview because she has "gray hair", I believe this is against federal law, and she should have legal recourse.
I do feel sorry for the staff at Dawes and last week the state had to lay off some people and the city had a hiring freeze. It has always been that if you got a gov't or a job at a school you were set for life didn't have to worry about the recessions layoffs or cutbacks, now you all might start thinking about how other people pay insurance and retirement. These things have never been a concern of people that work for the goverment. The manufacturing plants have had to go in and retrain for different jobs, different payscales so you may consider looking at other options. Remind the people in goverment how blessed they are to have retirement and health insurance because a lot of people out there don't .
You people who complain consistently about LPS are such whiners!! LPS is an excellent school system and you think there's always a conspiracy of mismanagement. Oh boo-hoo, "the kids are getting split-up"...GROW UP!!
You people should think about this. She loves this school and wants another job. LPS isn't easy to land a job with. It takes a while because they run a back round check on you & will get you even for a speeding ticket. Think of it, how do you think the kids feel about there school closing and having to move to other ones. My school Mickle is going to get a lot of the Dawes kids after we just finally got rid of our portables this year. The kids are getting split up from there friends just like the staff. LPS went and renovated Dawes just a few years back and they're already closing it. I have high doubts it will be reopened as a regular school but just think of how she feels aright.
Linda, You've got to stop playing the role of the victim. In this day and age, you cannot depend on an employer to take care of you for the rest of your life. The hard reality is you may have to apply, interview and accept a position outside of Lincoln, which will force you to commute or relocate. People across the country are faced with making decisions like that everyday. I'm from a small town, and I've experienced school consolidations, school closings, teachers being laid off, etc. Did everyone affected just give up? No, teachers had to apply other places and move. Students had to make arrangements for a long commute. It's not fun, but no one was going to take care of us. We had to take care of ourselves! If you feel you've been mistreated by LPS, why would you want to work for them anyway? I recommend you read the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, M.D. Good Luck and God Bless.
To Roxanne-I would just like to point out that "confused" never claimed to "COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION" they said that they "COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT RIGHT NOW". That is NOT the same thing. :)
my child went to this scool and i was not impressed withadministration or some support personel. what a joke some were proactive while some could have cared less when it came to our children , very sad day in education. this is why some havent become employed, maybe?
This is the LPS way. Teachers (good or bad) are guaranteed a position if they have worked for the district a minimum of 3 years. Loyal staff such as Linda who have worked for the district for 18 years have no such guarantee. Dr. Biggs stated anytime an employee is felt to have no value to the district they are let go. I do not believe that Linda suddenly lost all value to the district. She did her job with professionalism and dedication and what has it gotten her? I worked with Linda when she first was hired at LPS and I know how valuable she is. LPS is the looser here. And doesn't anybody think it reprehensible that LPS can fully staff 2 brand new schools (Schoo and Koosier) while closing 2 schools (Dawes & Hawthorne) and leaving the support staff there to fend for themselves?
In response to Confused: Anyone who worked at Dawes as support personnel is in the same "boat" as Linda. Having worked there for over a decade as support staff, I have now put my name in for 4 different positions--I am very worried about losing my health insurance. Thus far, I have had no interviews and not even so much as a "turn down" letter. We were a school "family" of co-workers---who would want to "jump ship" early and leave when you really LIKED your job, as well as your co-workers. It is all very sad.
Roxanne--What would you call doing an interview with the local television media, and subsequently questioning LPS's professional ethics and decision-making? I absolutely hope Linda gets another job in the district; however, she might have burned some bridges with the interview.
Roxane, of course I didn't "COMPLETELY" understnad hence the name confused. My questions came from reading the article and the statements made in that article. I didn't watch any 2:46 minute clip. My questions and statements arose from statements like this: The announcement first came in August 2007, when LPS decided to re-organize the district, by closing two schools, Hawthorne Elementary and Dawes. "We've known about it for two years, but I guess the reality never really set in until a couple months ago," said McPherson. To me that just sounded like putting off everything to the last moment hoping against hope that something would change. I don't for one minute believe that any of the people involved are stupid. I do believe that I came to a fairly logical conclusion and had reasonable questions to ask from my comprehension of the article.
to confused- I don't think you "COMPLETELY understand" the situation at all, especially if you are basing your judgements on a 2:46 minute clip of an interview. None of the staff at Dawes waited until the last minute to begin the process of getting a new job. If anyone waited to the last minute it is LPS. And as for complaining about feeling useless, if someone tells you not to interview because you have gray hair or that you are found to no longer be of value to the district, wouldn't you feel a bit useless too? to Miles- Linda didn't throw LPS under the bus, if anything it was the other way around. Linda works harder than most people I know and she is being treated unfairly which would make most people sound a bit negative about the situation. No one at Dawes was asked to be put in this situation and we have done everything the district has told us to do. Now they should step up and do the same to give Linda a job which after 18 years with the district I feel she definitely deserves!
I apologize if what I wrote made you geel stupid, as that was not my intention. As far as the gray hair goes, I don't think that is taken into consideration on your professional skills & attitude. It has been awhile since I have been in school, especially Elementary school but every secretary I ever had was older. Both my parents were teachers and the secretaries there were always like my adopted grandmas as well. I think that you will do fine. Maybe this is a chance to try something different. I do hope things go well and that you find another job that you love. I do understand the family atmosphere from growing up around that. Try to take advantage of Arbor which is wonderful with helping people with their resumes and finding jobs.
to confused - you have to understand the situation we were put in - lots of us did look for other jobs as soon as we were told, but LPS put the word was out that we should not be hired, it would put Dawes in a hard position to find somebody else. I did take advantage of the classes offered, and look what good it did me. Please don't judge me and make me look stupid. I did everything LPS told us to do and beyond, I even took all of the secretary testing over so that my skills would not be in question. Also, this is a family and nobody wants to leave their family and "jump ship" when times get tough. I thought I was being loyal to my family and employer and had no idea that they would blackball me and other classified staff. I guess loyality and hard work get you nowhere these days. My biggest point I want to make is that Human Resources told me, and I will quote them "not to go on an interview with my gray hair showing" Does this give you some idea of what I am dealing with?
Posted comment by confused said it wonderfully! Yes, you've been put in a horrible situation; however, you've just thrown your employer, LPS, under the bus!! How likely is it that another administrator in the district will hire you? I feel for this woman, but she gives off a negative vibe. Be a forward-looking, positive individual--I have a feeling that may help you in your job search!!
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