RE LOG Spring '25

14 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2025 (pushed upward by foreign buyers, investors and high wage earners who flooded South Florida in the aftermath of the pandemic). Calling Miami “one of the country’s most expensive cities,” the article noted that a 75 percent increase in housing prices in the past five years has left the city near the bottom of housing affordability nationally – a major problem for current teachers and a red flag for faculty considering moving to the area. The rising cost-of-living has affected even the school’s most veteran faculty members. Joe Mauro, in his 40th year of teaching at Ransom Everglades, recalled moving to Miami from Los Angeles in the 1980s to escape the high prices on the west coast, and by the early 2000s he had purchased a condo about 15 minutes from campus. For two decades, he managed his mortgage and condo fees comfortably. In the past five years, however, his homeowner’s costs have spiraled: his building levied $35,000 in condominium special assessments for repairs to the 50-year-old structure, and then handed owners consecutive 15- and 35-percent hikes in annual homeowners’ association fees to cover the soaring property insurance rates. News of the stipends brought a sense of relief. “Everyone was very happy with the amount, and surprised at how big the amount was,” Mauro said. “We are extremely grateful for everything the board is doing for the school and teachers. It’s a wonderful gesture, and appreciated very much.” Teachers sound alarms; school leaders listen Though RE’s teachers have historically been among the highest paid in Florida, the post- pandemic housing crisis hit hard. Teachers sounded alarms about the challenges they were facing in internal surveys, and some departed RE because they could no longer afford to live in Miami. English Department Coordinator Matthew Helmers, who arrived to RE in the summer of 2020 from Arizona, stood up at a faculty meeting after the pandemic and spoke out about the issue, sharing an emotional plea on behalf of his peers. A solution was needed, he said – and soon. In the summer of 2022, Head of School Rachel Rodriguez re-joined RE as Interim Head of School (she had served at RE in several roles including Head of the Middle School). At the same time, David Clark ’86 returned to Ransom Everglades as Chief Operating Officer. (Clark also had worked previously at RE in various roles.) From their first meeting with trustees, they pressed the board for assistance for the school’s teachers. “Rachel and David were massive ambassadors and supporters, asking the board to help our faculty,” said Jonathan Fitzpatrick, then the chair of RE’s board. “They made it clear that our teachers are the school’s most important asset.” Already working to address the problem, the board of trustees attacked it with an increased sense of urgency. Board members found that the cost of living within a reasonable proximity of the school had increased by 100 percent since the pandemic, and an analysis of teacher addresses showed that some were choosing to live more than an hour away while others were moving from apartment to apartment as rents increased. Helmers was one of those teachers. Between his first and second year at RE, he said, his rent doubled in price. The following year, he found a cheaper apartment, but still struggled with the rent. He began to consider picking up a supplemental job to create more income. As teachers fretted, trustees explored a variety of potential solutions. Fitzpatrick was joined by board treasurer Miguel Dueñas ’95 – now board chair – and others in efforts to acquire or build faculty housing. Those options, however, proved fraught with issues. What kind of housing could accommodate both single teachers and faculty members with a spouse and children? The available “A heartfelt gesture [and] beautiful reminder of the strength and unity within our community.” – Flavia Araripe, English teacher “It demonstrates our school’s commitment to our world- class faculty … I feel valued, appreciated and cared for.” – Corinne Rhyner, English teacher Joe Mauro, history and social sciences teacher