When I moved to the Bay Area 35 years ago, I knew that this was where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. But as a veteran middle school teacher in the San Mateo/Foster City School District, and the victim of a 60% rent increase, living in San Mateo is no longer affordable. I want greater renter protections so that our schools will be able to attract new teachers, and to stop the loss of so many dedicated teaching professionals and school staff who are leaving the district due to the high cost of housing in the area.

—Barbara O’ Neil, middle school teacher