Yay AISD Prop 1!

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.