Hey guys,
I recently took a teaching job (in an at-will employment state) at the beginning of the summer when I was getting absolutely zero responses from other job applications. Recently, I was contacted with a better offer (remote, better pay, etc.) and decided to resign a few weeks before the school year started.
After researching the school a bit more (it's a charter school, not private), I realized that they have some serious issues that clash with my values—they are homophobic, transphobic, and don't allow students or teachers to have piercings, dyed hair, facial hair, etc. As soon as I found another opportunity, I quit.
Now, they are trying to make me pay a $3,500 fee. The contract seems to contradict itself: on one page, it says that we are in an at-will agreement and that employment can be ended at any time without penalty, but later it states that if the employee quits before the school year is finished, they must pay $3,500.
I'm attaching pictures of the contract below. I need advice on whether this contract is enforceable or not because I panicked and asked for my job back, which they agreed to, but I really don't want to take it, especially with a better offer on the table and I know now that they can potentially fire me at any time but I can't quit.
Thanks in advance for any help or guidance you can provide!
Edit: the effective date of the contract is 7/16, but training did not start until 7/22 (the day after I quit, so they have spent zero money on me). Also, if it makes any difference I haven't been paid.