The property, located on Buxton Back Road in Hatteras, is the site of an old weather station and was obtained from the federal government by the school board. Oaksmith said the Dare Educational Foundation wants to build a 12 unit rental facility, much like the 24 unit facility recently completed on the north beaches. Funding for the construction, according to Oaksmith, will be provided, interest free, by the State Employees Credit Union. The units rent for approximately $750 per month.
Oaksmith said the starting pay for new teachers in Dare County was about $32,000 per year, and due to high housing costs, the county had a attrition/loss rate of almost 25% on Hatteras Island, compared to about 6% in the rest of the county.
Johnson told Oaksmith he didn't support low income housing for teachers in Dare County because, on average, they make more money than other people who fish or do other jobs in the county. He said he would support the concept if it was open to the general public, but it was not fair for the government to help teachers when they wouldn't help ambulance and trash truck drivers.
Johnson told Oaksmith he had heard there were principals and teachers living in the other facility that were making over $50,000 per year. Oaksmith said there were no principals living in the housing and he did not know the average salary of the residents. Other than teachers, he said there were two units occupied by school custodians.
Oaksmith told the commissioners the idea of low-income housing units for teachers was being used all across North Carolina and it was an excellent way for Dare County to recruit and keep young teachers.
The motion to approve the permit and site plan passed 4-1. "It's unfair to the average person living in Dare County," Johnson said.
18 comments:
The solution is simple. Only allow teaches below a certain income level to apply for the housing. I’ve been thinking about doing this for years in Tyrrell County. Young teachers just out of College need help. We need the teachers! Work it out.
Looking for the truth……
Is it true that most of the employees of Dare County live outside of the County because of the cost of housing/taxes? Is it true that Hotel/Motel/Restaurant workers do the same? Is it true that the person behind the counter taking your order does not speak English as a first language but they are exchange students? Is it true that residents have a card to distinguish them from tourists when they make purchases to avoid the inflated prices? Is it true that three bad Hurricanes in a row will move the County Offices to Buffalo City? You should go to Buffalo City in July.
Maybe Dick didn't get that we aren't having any trouble recruiting trash truck drivers. They also don't care for our children all day. Send him to Buffalo City in July! :)
I agree with first Anon -- use income as an application tool.
If Johnson wants low income housing avilable for everyone, then he can work to get it done.
I commend the Board of Education for finding a solution to their problem of keeping good teachers.
For once I agree with Johnson. Now if we can just get him to give up his credit card!
It hurts everyone when Richard can not support teachers.
Johnson is against it because it does not benefit him. He is not an educated professional being recruited to fill rural educational needs.
He does not have a college degree no does he value higer education. He is not in debt for his student loans. He does not value kids education in Dare County.
Dare County schools just heard you loud and clear Richard. You have not made any new friends.
"Sit down and shut up", to quote you directly.
Who cares what Johnson thinks-----the vote was 4-1------ignore the dope.
Im just a Lowly Teacher. Thanks Richard for letting us know how much we are appreciated.
You may be qualified to drive a trash truck.
You are not however, qualified to teach.
Johnson should not have voiced his opinion this way since the project literally pays for itself. Also, the Commissioners could use this as a model to provide for those with low-income status. Get a life Richard!
What is the Dare County Educational Foundation and who funds it?
Dare County Education Foundation
http://www.dareeducationfoundation.org/
Apparently, Johnson doesn't think there are any Michael Jordans in Dare County education or he would be giving them the same support he gave the area mental health director when he supported his $400,000 per year salary. And, Johnson sometimes talks like he thinks he's the M.J.of all county commissioners. It's time to bench him, don't you think?
I want to know more about the mental health director who gets paid $400,000 per year salary. The person that OK'ed that salary is for sure a client. For that money I can hire 8 people. Aren't 8 heads better than one? If you need a mental health check, just go to Buffalo City in July. That voice in your head will get louder, go away or bring you back to the real world.
I am thankful for the Dare Education Foundation and for what they do for our community. One of the many ways they have helped our teachers is by assisting them to become Nationally Board Certified. When our teachers become better qualified to teach, our kids benefit from it, which in turn helps our community. Having Nationally Board Certified teachers has become a primary goal in education, not only statewide, but federally also.
Because the Dare Education Foundation and the State Employees Credit Union funded the existing housing, Dare County has been able to retain good teachers not only in the upper county, but on Hatteras Island too. Our students are being taught by excellent, talented teachers, who could do the same job and make much more money in Virginia. Because of the assisted housing, many of these teachers have stayed on and they have become parts of our community. They have shared their gifts, their talents and their love for learning with our children. One of these teachers has been instrumental in helping my child decided on a college and the type of career she wants for herself. For this, I am truly thankful and I do not think we could put a price tag on the value of a child's education.
The concept of low income housing is insulting to teachers. It creates an atmosphere of Company Housing. What's next, the Company Store and being paid in scrip? How about paying the teachers enough so that they are not considered low income?
Why do we not pay teachers enough to rent or buy housing in a free market economy without taxpayer assistance?
I support Teachers 100% of the time but even at the starting salary being offered they should be able to find affordable housing on their own, and not on the backs of the taxpayers in this County.
The whole problem with this housing issue was started when teachers couldn't afford to live in the county in which they worked.
Any trade or profession should be paid a living wage for work produced...to maintain a decent quality of life. Then, we wouldn't need quite so many government/social programs.
Noticed in today's The Coastland Times that a Raleigh outfit has the contract to build this government project. Do we not have enough unemployed, under-employed and available construction trades
people right here in our own county to build this thing? People who might earn a living wage right here...
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