There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is
that there are a number of cities and towns across the United States that are
either planning are already constructing affordable housing for teachers,
firefighters and police officers. This strategy is occurring in places where
the cost of housing is high and most employees have to live far from their
place of employment, having to endure long commutes and heavy traffic.
Southwest Florida, for example, is one area that is considering such proposals.
The general rule of thumb is that you should budget no more that 30% of your
gross monthly income, before taxes, on rent.
Now for the bad news. Teachers and other public employees
are being grossly underpaid, especially in more affluent areas where the
housing market is above the national average. This is a sad commentary on the
value many communities place on their teaching staff. How does a society value
its educators? Respect and esteem in the community is one way. Offering a fair
and livable wage is another. Teachers answer to multiple constituencies that
include administrators, parents, school board members and the community at
large. Teachers are diagnosticians, trying to ascertain the best way to present
material to all students to insure mastery. Teachers are also evaluators,
mediators, and sometimes surrogate parents. With a lengthy job description and
an understanding of American customs and culture, teachers should not have to wait
for public officials to build “affordable housing,” or endure grueling commutes
to work. They have earned a place in the community.
C.2017 J. Margolis
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