BREAKING: Dozens of former teachers at the now-closed Vivaldi Music Academy in Houston are urgently claiming they are owed thousands in back wages after the school abruptly shut its doors on Thursday. The sudden closure followed months of rumors regarding late payments, leaving teachers fearful they may never receive their due compensation.
Former employees report they are owed amounts ranging from $3,000 to as much as $30,000. A former teacher, Sam Rachleff, stated, “I’m owed probably over $3,000, and there are plenty of other teachers who are owed a lot more,” with claims of up to $8,000 per individual circulating. Estimates suggest 50 to 75 teachers across Texas may be affected.
The sudden closure of Vivaldi, which had three locations in Houston and one in San Antonio, has left educators in a state of financial distress. Many have reported serious consequences, such as evictions and car repossessions due to the lack of payment. “I know people who have gotten evicted. I know people who have had their cars repossessed over Vivaldi not paying them,” said Mohammed Numan, another former teacher.
Despite previous indications of financial trouble, many educators continued working at Vivaldi due to their passion for music and a desire to share their knowledge with students. Concerns had escalated after the school closed its Bellaire and Memorial branches earlier this year, prompting many to fear the worst.
The charismatic founder of Vivaldi, Zeljko Pavlovic, has been at the center of scrutiny following the closure. Once celebrated for his inspirational story of success as a refugee from Bosnia, Pavlovic has faced multiple legal challenges, including a recent lawsuit for failing to repay a $2.6 million promissory note. According to court records, his financial practices have raised red flags among educators seeking payment.
In a statement issued to ABC13, Pavlovic expressed gratitude to the community, stating, “Every educator who contributed to this community will be treated with fairness, accuracy, and respect.” However, many teachers are skeptical, with former educator Todd Blackmon remarking, “In the beginning, when I started, it was the dream job…but something changed. We don’t know what actually happened.”
The emotional toll on these teachers is profound. Many had invested their hopes and dreams into their roles at Vivaldi, only to see those aspirations dashed. “People are sold this promise of ‘I can teach, do what I love, and I have these students and I can get paid well for that,’ and it all falls through,” Rachleff lamented.
As the situation unfolds, former teachers are banding together, forming chat groups to explore their options for recovering unpaid wages. The community is calling for urgent action and transparency from Vivaldi’s leadership as they navigate this crisis.
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