My open letter to Gov Ducey,
With all due respect, I triple dog dare you to go a whole year on a teacher's salary and then have the nerve to tell me that Prop 123 is a good idea. And not a teacher in the Mesa Unified School District or another district in Phoenix. Come down to Southern Arizona where the grass is not as green. Where the average teacher's salary is about $38,962, according to Tucson Values Teachers.
On April 18th, I posted on a Facebook group saying that I was going to Vote Yes on Prop 123. I had already received my contract for the 2016-2017 school year. My contract said I'd get a 3% increase if Prop 123 didn't pass and a 5% increase if it did pass. Several days before receiving my contract, my husband got laid off. So looking at my contract and knowing that my income would be the only one in my family for a month or two (hopefully less), my mind was made up to Vote Yes.
But then I saw this video and this video. What good does it do me to Vote Yes on Prop 123, if you are allowed to not give us the money whenever there is recession, rise in unemployment, or low tax revenue? So this made me think. What will happen Mr. Ducey, if the Prop does pass and one of these triggers occurs? What happens to the money that was going to my family? Will my district have to lower my salary in the school year that follows? I'm not pretending to know a lot about politics or finances. But all of this scares me. And I know I'm not the only teacher that worries about this.
I wish the ballot had an extended answer essay question. "Explain why you choose Yes or No on the Prop." So that you realize that it's not that Arizonians want to deprive Public schools of money. We are just tired of the political games and traps within the fine print. It's ridiculous that people in my noble profession have to struggle to make ends meet while you prance through the Vote Yes Prop videos as if this is the best thing since sliced bread. As if this is truly the only way to help Education. Party of me was going to vote Yes because I knew this would be the only money that Public Education was "guaranteed". We have no guarantee that if this doesn't pass something better will come along or how long it will take to get that money. After doing research, I realize how funny it was to have thought this money as guaranteed.
I appreciate that my district is giving me at least a 3% increase even if Prop 123 doesn't pass. I know some teachers in other districts were not that lucky. That 3% raise is hysterical considering that in Dec of 2015 you gave several State agency directors a raise somewhere between 32- 59% higher. I found that out while trying to research how much money you make Mr. Ducey, which I found out is $95,000. I'm not saying you don't deserve it. I'm only saying I know teachers deserve better. They deserve a more comfortable wage.
So now only 8 days after posting that I was going to vote yes, I'm honestly still undecided but I'm leaning more No than Yes. Not because I don't believe our Public Schools don't need the money. But because our Public schools need a stronger, no hidden agenda solution to our lack of funding. I encourage everyone to do as much research as they can about the Prop. So they make an educated decision.
One last point, (this was supposed to be a short post) my parents honestly told me to consider changing professions this past weekend. I don't hold that against them. They honestly are just looking out for the well-being of their daughter and their 4 year old grandson. They see the effort and heart that I put into my job day in and day out. They see me coming home at 4, 5, sometimes 6 pm with my job still not done, because it never ends. And I thought to myself, how many other professions have to deal with people advising them to change their careers because of the dollar amount? I love my job with all my being. And I get so much out of working with my students and watching them grow and learn. But sadly, that intrinsic reward doesn't pay the bills. Doesn't buy new shoes for my son.
#AZteachersdeservebetter #allteachersdeservebetter
No comments:
Post a Comment