u/Kadence_Kramer

I’m looking for perspective from HR professionals, especially anyone familiar with school districts/public education hiring.

I interviewed with District 1 (California) in early March, verbally accepted the position, and their board approved me. After that, over a month went by with no communication from the district and no confirmation of next steps, onboarding, contract, or start dates. This position is for the 2026-27 school year, which usually starts in July or August.

I emailed HR asking for clarification and received no response. Two days later, I called HR twice and left a voicemail requesting a return call. Another week went by with no response to my email or voicemail. HR also never responded to voicemail messages left by one of my references after they had requested to speak with her.

At that point, I genuinely believed the position had fallen through, so I submitted more applications. Thankfully I received an offer from District 2. Their HR was very responsive, they sent me what the HR manager called a “pre-contract” that I signed, and their board approved me shortly afterward.

Now HR from District 1 has suddenly responded to my email after 9 weeks of silence. I explained that after not receiving responses to my email or calls, I became uncertain about the status of the offer and applied elsewhere. HR seemed surprised and said she would inform the superintendent.

My concern is that the District 2 contract includes wording stating that the employee is not under “any other employment obligation or agreement” with another district.

I never signed anything with District 1, and I made multiple follow-up attempts before applying elsewhere.

From an HR perspective, would a verbal acceptance under these circumstances generally be considered an “employment obligation or agreement”? Would you recommend proactively explaining the situation to District 2, or would that unnecessarily complicate things?

I interviewed with District 1 early March, verbally accepted the position, and their board approved me. After that, over a month went by with no communication from the district and no confirmation of next steps.

I emailed HR to clarify and ask about a start date but received no response. Two days later, I called twice and left a voicemail requesting a return call. This was roughly 5 weeks after accepting the position. Another week went by with no response to my email or voicemail. They never provided a written offer, contract, or timeline. HR also did not respond to three voicemail messages left by one of my references after they reached out to her. At that point, I genuinely believed I was no longer being considered and I submitted more applications.

I thankfully received an offer from District 2 and their HR was very responsive. They sent me what they called a “pre-contract” that I signed, then their board quickly approved me. Now District 1 has suddenly replied to my email after 9 weeks of silence. I informed her that after their lack of response I was unsure about the offer and applied elsewhere. She seemed shocked and said she would tell the superintendent.

Now I’m worried about wording in the District 2 contract that says “Employee further represents that he/she is not under contract or any other employment obligation or agreement with another district...”

I never signed anything with District 1, and I made three contact attempts before applying elsewhere. Would a verbal acceptance in this situation be considered an “employment obligation or agreement”?

Should I explain the situation to District 2? Or just wait it out? I'd really appreciate some input.