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Study ranking top cities for teachers places Charlotte near bottom

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new list that ranks nearly 700 cities that are best for schoolteachers doesn’t reflect very well on Charlotte.

A recent analysis from GoodCall ranked Charlotte No. 542 out of 689 cities.

The study revealed that many of the top cities for K-12 teachers are those in suburbs surrounding some of the largest cities. Seven of the top 10 were suburbs of Chicago and Detroit, boosted largely by impressive salaries for teachers, who earned at least 60 percent more than the median in the area, a highly educated populace and low crime rates.

Analysts ranked cities based on eight metrics that identify places that are affordable and pay teachers well, are safe, have jobs available, have a populace that values education, and are nice places to live with abundant amenities.

[CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST]

Judy Kidd, who taught for 25 years in Charlotte, is semi-retired and is a member of the Classroom Teachers Association of North Carolina.

"I'm not surprised because not only have teachers not received pay increases, they have received reduction in retirement benefits that most of the general public is not aware of," Kidd said.

The study put more weight on teacher pay and job availability, and as far as pay, Kidd said Charlotte is way behind.

"Most teachers have to work two jobs in the state of North Carolina in order to be able to fund their family budget," Kidd said.

The state's proposed House budget gives teachers a 9.5 percent raise over two years.

Kidd said more will have to be done.

"It's still not providing for an increase in the cost of living for veteran teachers," Kidd said.

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