Retired teachers not living luxuriously

I would like to reply to Ken Kitzing’s letter, “Public pensioners have a sweet deal” in the June 15 Fence Post. After graduating from Northern Illinois State Teachers College in 1954, two years in the Army, and one getting my master’s degree, I started teaching in 1957 for a salary of $4,000. During that year, my wife and I lived in an apartment above a garage.

I taught for 40 years and retired at age 65. During that time we scrimped and saved while investing for my retirement as well as putting three kids though college.

By the way, Mr. Kitzing, Social Security was never meant to be your sole retirement, and my car is 14 years old, not 7 years as your is.

As to teachers only working nine months, I either went to school to hone my skills or worked for companies like Kelly Services during my time off.

Chuck Morgan

Arlington Heights