Would you break a contract and switch mid-year?

[guest464345]

I'm in my second year at a HS. It's a tough school, which I knew when I took the job. Nonetheless I like the role and the kids.

My struggle is that at the end of last year, a certified staff member and I both witnessed an incident involving security staff and a student, and we each filed a written report. (Without going into detail - staff's behavior was awful, it was harmful, and I saw the whole thing myself).

There was an investigation and for reasons I don't understand, there were no consequences to the involved staff person. The involved person found out who had reported, and then they filed some kind of counter-accusation against the other reporter, who was subsequently reprimanded and transferred out of our school after 10+ years of service. As for me, this person has made work difficult. For instance, security stopped coming when I call them. Even if I can actually see them and hear my own voice on their radios; they look right at me, and walk away. People associated with the involved person will not make eye contact or speak to me, even when I request information for an injury report or something. It would be ridiculous if it weren't also a little creepy.

The principal who let this person off the hook is not going to help. He likes me but the involved person has been here much longer, is a supervisor, has strong relationships with probably 1/3 of our staff, and is quite intimidating. The principal frequently talks this person up in meetings. Filing complaints does not seem promising.

There's a position open in another district. Would you consider leaving mid-year if the other job seemed better? (The school is definitely higher-performing with a wider mix of students. I don't know the principal or the work culture or why the vacancy, but am discreetly asking around).

I know I did the right thing even though it didn't help. Sadly, our school is a mess overall. I have positive relationships with the teachers, the social workers, and the office so maybe I can gut it out....not sure. My contract says they could charge me a $2,000 fee, and I assume I'd be ineligible for rehire, but it might be worth it.

[guest83140]

My two cents, many jobs have a terminate at will. Is it fair? No, not always but when some situations are going left or sour--to me it's good to get out untouched, meaning work record is clean. To grab a job before it builds up is wiser than fighting half the staff including the leader. Every battle has options. Some evidence is objective and subjective, meaning who will speak up as a witness to what you're claiming. The main person who also filed a complaint is gone. Do you want battle wounds and scars and then lose out anyway? Or do you have a for sure way to handle the hostility and stay on for the duration of the year? Can you be transferred? It's the lesser of the two evils, stay and fight or leave and escape unharmed. Praying for your great decision.

Any updates?