There is a local proposition, Proposition 1, that will appear on the ballot in November to try and increase the property tax in order to give teachers a 3% pay increase this next year. The property tax would increase by a mere 3.9 cents per $100. This would mean that an average household would pay an additional $343 annually. This tax increase would not only allow teachers a pay raise it would also allow districts to compensate for the increasing cost of health care costs, fuel to run the busses, and operating costs for the school itself(ex. heat and air conditioning).
We need to support our teachers with Proposition 1. We have a duty to make sure our teachers are taken care of. Our kids will be under the care of these people for most of their formative years and eventually these kids will be the adults of this world. It is a huge job for these teachers to undertake and we want the best for our kids. If we don't take care of our teachers they will find a district that will. If we don't want to lose our good teachers to other schools we need to vote "yes" on proposition1. Our property taxes will go up by about $252 anyways because of increasing property values. So that $91 from each household means a 3% pay increase to each teacher. These teachers are counting on us because our taxes are as high as they can be without the people voting for a tax increase. Everyone wins with this proposition, teachers get their raise and we get to keep our good teachers.
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I don’t think I could have put it any better… but I will add on to the editorial titled Proposition 1. Vote Yes from the 'Knowing Your Neck of the Woods' blog. I find myself to be bias on the issue of pay increase for teachers since I am going to school to become one. None of us would be in this class if it weren’t for K-12th grade teachers and grade schools. Pay sucks already and benefits are okay… anyone who teaches these younger grades, hopefully, isn’t in it for the money because its not there. Doesn’t really make sense to me?
We can prevent some strain on these good people since the AISD Proposition 1 did pass in the 2008 Texas elections. It will not only help teacher salaries, but also increase health benefits and pay for educational programs. The Proposition even covers gas for school buses.
Today teachers in Austin make about $43,000 a year. This means about $3,550 a month. With rising gas prices, mortgage rates, and everyday item prices this sounds like nothing. I tried to figure it out and imagined being a single mom, who teaches, with a two-year-old child; she and her son live in a two bedroom, one bath apartment for a little over $500. Then you have gas and electric bills that could easily add up to, lets say, $200 a month. Then you have to put your child in a daycare, which is insanely expensive. After looking at some daycares, I picked one of the best nationally accredited preschools; for the class of two and three year olds, the cost a month would be $800. You need gas to get your child places and get yourself to work… $40 a week. Groceries? Groceries are more expensive when having to buy things for an infant.
Also there are always odd things that are necessary to get around Austin that require money. Statistics say you should expect at least $1000 a month on your child for things like diapers, food, doctors…
After all this, the teacher is left with a little money to spend on other necessities that people can go without if they really have to: clothing, phone bills, education payments, car payments…
If we do not continue to support our Austin teachers, they will move their business and teach in another higher paying district, which is exactly what is happening. Hopefully the Proposition will encourage teachers to stay where they love, Austin.
I enjoyed the author's writing and agreed with what they had to say. It was brief enough to understand their point of view and share facts about the Proposition.
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