A bid to keep Austin teachers happy

Teaching has become one of the most draining jobs in America as educators navigate the threat of school shootings, a pandemic and intensifying political interference — all while their wages remain stagnant. Why it matters: Teachers in Austin and elsewhere are questioning whether shouldering those burdens is still worth it — even with a modest salary bump in the offing. Since July 1, at least 1,027 teachers have left the Austin Independent School District. By comparison, 647 left from June 2018 to June 2019, the last full pre-pandemic year.

What they're saying: "Fewer people are coming in because the pay isn't competitive and the word's out that you're not respected in public education," Ken Zarifis, president of teachers union Education Austin, tells Axios. By the numbers: The starting salary for an Austin ISD teacher is $51,150, per a January edition of the district's compensation manual. For those who have taught 15 years, pay is only $54,129. Martin Middle School teacher Eric Ramos tells Axios the rent for his East Austin place has increased 30% — and his pay raise may amount to just 3.7%. "How long can you take on that additional cost before you have to move out?" — and potentially find work outside of Austin, he says. "It doesn't help that politicians' solution to the gun issue is to throw it back on teachers again," says Ramos, who is also a union board member. "They're thinking of arming us, doing more active shooter training — but they're talking about treating the symptom, not the problem."