Quote Originally Posted by BromineUser View Post
Today I received my property tax bill (up over a thou to $15,000)
Sounds like you need to move to Georgia! (Not including Atlanta! Atlanta is not Georgia; it's San Francisco East!) Not many people working for school boards have properties with tax rates like that. And, given how far under the water Illinois (esp. Chicago) is, it's likely to get worse before it gets better.

got a contract for the next school year with no raise for the 5th consecutive year
Being in Georgia wouldn't help there: my wife (elementary teacher) is getting 'furloughed' 3 days next year, but that's an improvement for 5 this year, and 9 (I think) the year before.

and my roof is leaking.
Dark pool covers make MUCH better temporary roof fixes, then blue tarps, if you are going to have to wait a few months.