The Public School Hiring Process

I never thought that either volunteering or getting hired to work in a public school would be a test of endurance because from the very beginning the Principal said yes I want you on my team.  I knew up front there would be a background check.  I also knew up front that there would not be a drug test which to this day I find interesting.  What I was not prepared for was the minutia that delayed the process.  First of all was taking a test.  That went well although some of the math questions made me pause and think for a minute.  Next up was to prove that I had eighty credit hours of college courses.  For clarification purposes the credit hours check was for getting hired and not to volunteer.  Again this was not a concern as I have a degree from Central Michigan University.  The degree was issued in 1976 and I'm thinking where is that degree.  After an extensive search I found it in the sub basement level of the clothes closet in a fireproof container with way to much dust on it.  With degree in hand I head to the school so I can fax it to the Human Capital department at the main office of the school system. This is the last step in the process so I'm getting excited about starting.  A couple days pass and the cell phone rings.  I'm sorry Mr. Schultz but a copy of your diploma from a four year university is not sufficient to prove you have taken eighty credit hours of college courses.  Please send us a copy of your transcripts.  From the very beginning the Principal said hire this man but Human Capital insists on doing everything possible to slow down the process.  I'll comment on the department title Human Capital in a minute.  So I do an internet search for CMU's telephone number and call them and request a copy of my transcripts.  Well Mr. Schultz we will be glad to send you a copy of your transcripts but first you have to send us some money.

It took five weeks to complete the hiring process.  All this time the classroom teacher is without her instructional assistant in a special education classroom for scholars with emotional (anger) disabilities.  I was so frustrated that I went to the Principal and asked if I could volunteer in the classroom until I get hired.  The Principal immediately responded yes because I had already jumped through all the hoops to be a volunteer.  Finally I could walk into the classroom.

The Department of Human Capital.  The first thought that entered my head when I heard this was slavery.  When you take into consideration that there is a sizeable number of African American scholars in this school system you have to wonder why this title was chosen.