u/Aromatic-Incident844

(Keeping this vague for anonymity)

I'm currently finishing year 2 teaching music in another large urban district high school. I love where I am currently and settled into my life here very well, but for a variety of complicated reasons having to do with the terms of my position, political/financial trends in the district and city, and bleak job prospects in my area, my career feels very unsecure right now, and I have no control over it.

With all that, recent political developments in NYC, some financial planning, and my love for the city, it's made me seriously consider making the move. I love my current city and community, and it would be a major life decision to move, but if I'm going to do it, I feel like I should do it earlier in my career. I'm visiting the city twice soon (tagging along with my partner's vacation and work trip, so the hotel was free).

High school teachers, what is the music program like in your school? Do the arts feel valued? Do the music teachers seem content or are they overwhelmed and miserable? Are there any major expenses in the city or drawbacks to teaching in NYC schools that you did not expect?

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Throwaway account for anonymity reasons.

I came into a long term temporary position well over a year ago while the previous teacher was suspended for disciplinary reasons, and it's been an ongoing investigation. My paraprofessional told me that the previous teacher texted her yesterday. She claims she didn't give him any information. This is the second time a coworker has told me he texted them.

From what I understand, trying to communicate with collegues at the school while you're under investigation is not allowed, as it could be interference. I'm also concerned that he might be looking for information about me, since I took over his position. I was not able to find a difinitive answer on the legality of this.

I'm very, very reluctant to bring this up with any higher-ups because of the obvious conflict of interest (if he gets dismissed, I can get the job permanently), but if he's trying to interfere, and he's definitely breaking a rule, he should be held accountable. I'm hoping to find out for sure what the law says, what district policy says, and see how I should play this.