Schools Workforce Agreement - Head Teacher = Network Manager

I have a Systems Manager over me- and it's getting more confusing by the day. I don't get to make purchase decisions at all, don't know how much we have in budget left, don't get to order essentials, and when (like today) cablers etc come around I'm rarely in on the process. And they call that being the "network manager". What I am allowed to do (it seems) is be a jumped up technician with low pay who does the hard slog, and who then facilitates the systems' manager getting the praise and solidifying his position.

I like the guy (a lot), and we have a great working relationship, but the politics of it are driving me mad and the sense of being left out of an important loop is making me start to look elsewhere...

Is it just me, or are there other NMs who feel this way?

Paul :-(

@kingswood: That was one of the reasons I left my last job.

its not just u mate - i "nod my head" to all the problems in this thread.

I seem to have a combined total of them lol

- Not given any status above ICT Technical Support [or whatever the current term is for IT dogsbody] despite running the servers, deciding on GP, being the first line of IT support to teachers/staff [i.e. everyone coming to me with problems], installing network switches and infrastructure [minus room > room links hehe], quoting of new hardware and software, liasing with county/external suppliers, etc...

- "What I am allowed to do (it seems) is be a jumped up technician with low pay who does the hard slog, and who then facilitates the systems' manager getting the praise and solidifying his position."
[couldnt have put it better myself :) my idea of housing pc's seemed to get misplaced to others - no credit given when shown to others]

- er.... I won't go on ;)

/rant

Nath.