:confused: On April 6, 2006, I was asked to meet with the principals at my school to discuss my final summative evaluation. At this time, I was made aware that I had not been recommended for rehire. The explanation for non-recommendation by the principal was NOT because of my abilities as a classroom teacher NOR my classroom management techniques that he refused to recommend me for rehire. (He actually stated that I was a great teacher, and he would write an excellent recommendation for me.) However, he stated that I did not "seem" to mesh with the teaming concept at the school. This isn't written on the official letter for non-rehire. Before my summative evaluation review with him, I have not receive any formal or informal letters stating that I was not conforming to the concept of teaming nor have I received any verbal feedback from the administration concerning this matter. Also, my previous evaluation summaries do not reflect any negative comments relating to my inabilities to corporate with the teaming concept. Actually, I have nothing but positive evaluations, positive personal notes in my gradebook "ie. Thanks for being here @ school's name. You're a great addition to the family!", and (we turn in actual students' assessments) he gave me excellent marks on those...(saved all documents & wrote a letter stating nonvalidity of my non-rehire to the Superintendent)

This is my question...Since I'm new to the district under contractual law, my principal and superintendent states that under Mississippi Labor Law and policies that it is legal for them to not recommend me for rehire without valid reason... Is this true?? (I do have 5 years previous teaching experience from another state with no negative employment issues.)

Thank you for your help. :)

Yes, it is true. Nothing in the law requires them to recommend you for re-employment. When your contract is up, it's up. Unless there is wording in the contract which guarantees the contract will be renewed, that's the end of the matter.

:confused: Am I entitled to unemployment benefits although they refused rehiring?
Thank you for answering that last question.

Only an adjudicator in your state can give you a definite answer; however, from what you have posted I see no reason why you would not be able to collect.

We would have no way of knowing for sure. Every state's guidelines are unique. All you can do is file. There's no penalty for being wrong and there is no cost to you to do so.