Private contractor to direct hire pipeline

Has anyone ever gone direct hire with a district after being a contractor, specifically when contract has a post employment non compete clause?

I like the district I’m in and want to stay. I was planning on resigning with my contract company. They sent me the next year’s contract to review already. While reading, I noticed there was a clause forbidding employment elsewhere of any type without written consent from the employer. That is too restrictive for me personally so I haven’t signed yet.

I recently found out that direct hires within the district make more than I do. So I want to go to the direct hire route.

I’m wondering if this counts as noncompete since they are a public entity and I’m not going to work for another private company or starting my own LLC but rather signing directly with the public agent.

There are a few other details that could strengthen my argument as to why leaving makes sense outside of just making more money. I’ve been having some trouble with payroll and new diagnoses impacting my healthcare costs, which is significantly more in a private company than it would be directly hired with a district. Not sure if that matters, but

Just curious if anyone has left a contract to go immediately to direct hire any stories would be appreciated thanks!