Good morning CoSo!
I just emailed the school district HR person to say that once the new position is all set up, I will take the job as middle school substitute teacher. The pay will be shit. But I will continue state employment and work on securing retirement. And they literally created a position for me - at a school that is 1.2 miles from our house. Not a done deal yet, no contract signed yet, but #JobSearch is likely going on hold and for that I am glad.