New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-02
Communicated
School Elections.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:

EDITOR kEPCBLICAN
Being known to many teachers as one in
| terested in their vocation, the writer hal
been frequently appealed to within the las'
few days on the vital subject of teachers
funds during vacation.
Many teachers solved the problem BY
opening vacation schools. But this wat
not practicable in all cases, however willing
and desirous many were Of doing so. II
any member of the board will take the
largest salary paid any instructor, and
divide the amount received by such person
this year by the number of months. count
ing from September, 1875, whose expenses
it was obliged to pay, he will see that the
figure is 90 moderate it leaves no margin to
make provision for nearly three months
vacation, where there are families to pro.
vide for. If the school year is to end in
June, it is but just that the election OF
teachers should take place at the close OF
the term. In that case those not elected
can use what they have saved in seeking
other fields of labor, and those retained can
spend their leisure to the best advantage
mentally. physically and economically.
A better way would be to hold the elec-
tions in December, as formerly, which
would leave the vacation untrammeled by
pecuniary and elective considerations which
now prevent the majority from using that
time in any beneficial manner. The Teach
ers' Association appointed Q committee,
Aa in aro T.,
election be held, but the request was dis.
regarded, showing that that body has not
yet acquired much moral force. The writer
interviewed members of the board, and
was told that there would be no time for
any election of teachers until the Novem.
ber elections are over. Can they not, then
announce that fact, which would make
such q difference to the teachers9 A cer-
tainty of employment would bring credit
and enable them to obtain money when
needed. If merchant gave his clerk q
vacation, he would not consider it an un.
Just demand if the man desired to know
whether he should be re-employed at it's
close, or seek other occupation. In oonnec-
tIOu Will tuAo ouUJcCVs IAo AOAAOWAuk re-
marks from popular writer of the day are
most sppropriate:
A teacher upon small salary is naturally
somewhat unsettled in mind; is apt to be
looking about for other employment, and
liable to feel constantly diminishing inter-
est in the work. Stability of place and
freedom from pecuniary anxiety are very
important to the teacher. A large salsrly
is not absolutely necessary to q scholarly
life, but certain, comfortable subsistence
is. How rarely is the tescher's vocation
embraced with the zeal of q career. The
labor and talent demanded is as much as
that of the attorney or physician, but the
recompense vastly less. If the teacher gives
leisure hours to the advancement of learn
ing he will find his salary insufficient for
the maintenance of family. In order to
live he, or she, must constantly be doing
outside work, and thus struggle along year
after year in constant danger of being dis
charged, and in old age. weary and broken
down, be little more than psuper.
Let rs hope that the School Board of this
city will ponder these things, and give such
relief ss they can by granting the teachers
re quest, and settling the matter at their
next meeting. j. w.