Job responsibilities (update in the comments)

 I'm getting pretty tired of going up to the school during my summer break. It's been necessary this year because there's no one working through the summer that can (or would be willing to) feed the fish and put fertilizers in the planted aquarium. I've been going up at least twice (sometimes three times) a week to do those things. It's less than two miles from my house and it only takes a few minutes, but after getting let down over the job promotion my heart just hasn't been in it. Then on Tuesday afternoon I had to go up there with Gregg. The principal wanted the big aquarium in the lobby moved to an inner hallway of the office area. It was a big job, but he's a professional and he had it done and looking great in just over 2 hours. I mainly just hung out with him and watched.

I also had another talk with the principal while I was there, at her invitation. When the secretary position didn't work out, I had had a long discussion with her about my current job responsibilities and how overwhelmed I was. How there wasn't adequate staff to cover me when I needed to take a sick day or even a lunch break sometimes. How I had gradually ended up doing the job of two or even three people. So when she asked to speak with me while Gregg worked on the aquarium, she wanted to run some ideas past me for making things better. 

First of all, she told me that she couldn't get the district office to approve an addition a dedicated secretary for the guidance department, at least not at this time. That was her first thought for me. Instead, she's giving me a private office and my job description is going to change and I'll be responsible for attendance and discipline record keeping, as well as conducting truancy interventions with families. I'll be the person that helps the guidance department with their records, too.

I'll no longer have to be in the main lobby by the front door, monitoring the camera and who to let in. At the end of last year, they installed weapons detectors and those have to be monitored now, too. I won't have to sign out students, or answer the main phone line, or be the first point of contact for all visitors. Some of that I'll miss, but I won't miss the feeling of juggling dozens of tasks all day long and barely able to keep up. It should be less stressful, and I can take a day off without worrying about anyone having to cover for me. Most of my daily work is about to become much more tedious and pretty boring, but it's essential stuff for the running of the school, and a private office makes up for a lot. It's no extra money, beyond the "step" increase we all get this year, but my stress level should go down after the initial learning curve of my new responsibilities is over. 

While I was typing this the principal called me and asked if I'd be willing to work the student registration days, July 18th and 19th. Of course, I said yes, but........damn it! Two more days chipped off my much-needed summer break. Sigh. I will get extra pay for those two days, though, since I'm not under contract to work them. My first official day back at work is July 25th. It's going to be a very different school year. I hope it's better.