The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-06-25
THE SALARY QUESTION IN OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FtbLIC St'HOOLS.
I, We have neither the taste nor inclina
ton TO engage in controversy about
teachers salaries. We stated plain
matter of fact, familiar to all in the
least interested in school matters. The
RoUiear assumes, most unfortunately, &c
controvert it. When the Reeioe states
that "Mankato pays as large salaries as
are paid at Winona, Rochester, and
points of equal size, for the service rem
dered." it simply states an untruth
Winona pays Mr.. Gilbert $1,000 per
annum, as principal of the High School,
and besides employees superintendent
at the salary of $1,000. In Mankato,
we compel one man to discharge the
duties of both these offices for $1,000.
Prof. Bechdolt acted as principal in the
forenoon, and rs superintendent in the
afternoon. The work was excessive, and
the Prof. retired on Il less salary to an
easier field of labor. Miss Leona Smith,
a iaVoritc teacher in the High School,
was receiving at the rate of 5000 in
Mankato; she was very sensible in re-
signing and going to st. Peter for 1878
per year, and a field of much less labor.
Miss Smith left distinctly on the ground
that she would receive more wages at
81. Peter, for less work. Miss Kendall
who proceeded Miss Smith, and was a
splendid teacher, left, as she asserted,
Mankato at 5000 per year, for Andover
Mass, At $500 per year and less work.
Miss Emma Ingram, II favorite teacher,
leaves the Primary school of Mankato,
where she received but $400, and goes
to the Normal at $500 per year and half
the work. Prof. Parker who has Just
been elected at a salary of $40, de-
clincs TO accept, and goes away to Win
nebago City at 1915 year. Thus upon
the mere question of little more salary,
good. competent and satisfactory teach
ers leave us year after year. In ST. Paul
and Minneapolis, they adopt the wise
policy of increasing salaries for every
year during four successive years served,
and thus hold on to their good teachers.
Mankato lets her experienced and tried
teachers go, and is always in the process
of initiating lot OF new teachers.
which makes it Improbable Tor pupils
and all concerned. George Rupely left
Mankato at $3.50, and went to Duluth
at $1,000. Edgar George received in
Mankato S400, and went to Blue EARTH
City at $1,000. Prof. Lord left Manka-
TO at 5000 and went to St. Peter at 81 900.
Prof. Stewart leaves Mankato at $40 and
now goes to St. Charles at $500, simplyI
ON question of salary. George Flotch-
er, fine classical scholar, goes out of
the public schools because of inadequateI
salary, into other cmployments. Thel
teachers, at this very moment, have all
gone out of the Union School, except
two, and three of them have gone dis
tinctly on question of salary. TheI
changing of teachers is the constant rule
To the detriment of the schools. Be
sides We over-work our teachers. Inl
Minneapolis and most places, they limit
the number Of pupils to room. In
this city We crowd the children on to a
teacher without any limit but possiblel {
sitting room. We over-work and I'M
der pay. Our school system is not I'M
reasonably expensive. If it is, cut
down expenses in some other direction. ,
Let US have good teachers and good i
schools, at the cost Of economy in some I
place that is not as vital a. efficient
public schools. This matter of the con-
slant change of teachers simply for a ,
few dollars, is chronic in this city. Inl
Minneapolis they pay the Supcrinten- I
dent, Prof. Tousley, $4,000 year. They
had to do it to retain him. We ought
TO adopt the positive policy of strivingI
to retain good teachers, tried and proven
TO be such, even though at Il slight adj
dtional expense. The difference in
taxes will not be appreciabl; but the
difference in good schools, which is the
object sought, will be beyond computa-
ton in mills and cents. This whine
about school taxes, is pure atfectation.
1t is the habitual refuge of writers who
can make no other defense. Our best
teachers could have been retained, when
their worth was once established. Some
could have been promoted, and others
could have had their salaries advanced
if found efficient. We write these stric-
lures in no spirit of unfriendlyness tol
the Board. They have simply drifted,
unthoughtedly, into habit of constant
change. We believe it is only necessary
TO invite their attention To the evil, tol
induCc a CHANGE of Oolicy