When a texas band teacher job opens in Feb, are the 30 applicants out of work, or willing to break contract?

Question by pikachuflatulates: When a texas band teacher job opens in Feb, are the 30 applicants out of work, or willing to break contract?
I can’t believe 30 people would be sitting there out of work, when they can relocate and take a job elsewhere that can’t be filled. I am wondering if everyone applies for the jobs, and then break contract if they are hired.
J-Dawn–it is not a question about the economy. It is a question about the band director landscape. In Louisiana there are unfilled jobs right now where they can’t get anyone. I want to know if there is a band director surplus, or if people are breaking contracts. This is a question for a Texas band director to answer.

Also, this has nothing to do with recession or anything. It was like this 10 years ago also. It is hard to find band teachers in Louisiana at normal hiring times, but when a Texas job opens, even mid-year when people are under contract, there is a flood of applicants.

Thanks for trying, though.

Best answer:

Answer by J-Dawn
Your statement “I can’t believe 30 people would be sitting there out of work, when they can relocate and take a job elsewhere that can’t be filled” is idiotic at best.

HELLO, haven’t you been watching the news? There AREN’T jobs elsewhere! EVERY state is feeling the financial crunch. Kansas alone is going to have to lay of 4,500 teachers if the state board goes through all the budget cuts they’re wanting.

Besides, it’s not like someone qualified to teach band can just go to a school and teach science or English. They’re qualified to teach music, and there aren’t that many music positions open anywhere.

[EDIT]
Ok, ok I get what you’re saying. I did some research into minimum base pay and it might have something to do with that. In Texas, the minimum base pay for a teacher with 0 years credited experience was $ 27,320 for the 07-08 school year while the same step on the Louisiana salary schedule was only $ 14,631 for the 07-08 school year. Tell me that if you had one job and were offered the same type of job at almost $ 13,000 a year more you wouldn’t take it. I know I would.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!