Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1533049
• 69% cite high, out-of-pocket costs for often inadequate health care benefits eating into their paychecks. " Too many educators are spread thin and frankly aren't able to make ends meet financially and are working in a public school system that continues to be underfunded year after year," CTA President David Goldberg said during a news conference held in January. Sacramento-area transitional kindergarten teacher Kristina Caswell says these exorbitant health care costs in addition to rising housing and daycare expenses have tightened her family budget to the point where she "thinks twice before paying for a prescription." While she enjoys her job and loves her students and families, Caswell said the financial pres- sures are difficult to navigate. "As costs continue to rise, I find myself putting my own health needs aside," says Caswell, a member of Natomas Teachers Association. "I simply don't have the extra budget." Not only are educators across the state struggling to find housing and pay rent, 91% of those who do rent say that they can't afford to buy a home, according to the report. Carolina Sanchez Garcia, a transitional kindergarten teacher in San Diego and a single parent with five children, had a difficult time finding affordable housing in one of California's most expensive housing markets. At one point, she commuted daily from across the border in Mexico to be able to house her family. "My union helped me obtain affordable housing. I was fortunate. I'm very grateful to have a union," says Sanchez Garcia, a San Diego Education Association member. "Across the state, many teachers are struggling to find a place — any place — for their families to live." The report also shows a number of alarming concerns educators have about California public schools: • 84% of educators surveyed said inadequate resources for students provided by the state and school districts were a major concern, while the same number (84%) cited a lack of school funding. • 68% specifically mentioned a lack of support for mental "As costs continue to rise, I find myself putting my own health needs aside — I simply don't have the extra budget." —Kristina Caswell, Natomas Teachers Association 24 cta.org Feature