The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-21

BY the foregoing statement it was shown that
the salaries of the teachers in Indianapolis are
below the average. These salaries we're also
compared with the average earnings OF men and
women OF about equal capability in other pur-
suite, where the responsibilities about the
same, ana it was found that the rate was below
instead of above the AVERAGE. The conclusion of
the committee was, therefore, that "the salaries
of the teachers are not TOO high, and # any
money Is to be saved in this department. it must
pc through less teaching. This in q city where
the only alternative is between the schools and
could hardly be tolerated There
are many opinions as to what is
most important to be taught and how to teach
1t, but when It is remembered that only about
one-third of the children of school age are in
our schools, or can be provided with seats in our
present school buildings, indicating that the
average school life for the children of Tndianar-
oils ts about I'VE years, think thoughtful
person will desire to lessen the amount of teach
Ing"
NEW BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS.
In the matter of new buildings and repairs it
was believed that the cost had been reduced to
the minimum, and it was recommended that the
repairs should be kept up as heretofore, but it
was thought not advisable to begin the erection
or any new buildings. In this connection the
COMMITTEES stated that "the present high-schoool
building is disgrace to the city," II
was an old building when bought by
the board and, with additions and remodeling
from time to time, it has been made TO Temporal
It is no longer In a safe condition, and requires
continual repairing. In reference this the
committee concludes that the board has ''no
power to raise the money necessary TO erect a
Migh-school building that shall he safe beyond
question, more convenient in arrangement and
more ereditahle in appearance than the present
rambling cOngIOmarate."
The committee gave it their opinion that
some of the work nf the High-school required
more ability and experience. They thought that
by Reconsideration of the work and II readjust-
meHt of salaries on the basis of experience
inn NJ o. NRa
can be made without lesSing the efficiency of the
school. The matter was referred to the com
mittee on teachers and salaries and High-schOol
Tor their consideration In the Normal School
one teacher is employed at "A salary of 81 600
which 1t was thought was MS little a compe
tent person could be obtained for.
In considering the expectancy of continuing
the Highschool, the committee stated that
''Ony about 10 per cent, of the schoOl-going non.
nlatton avail themselves OF IT'S privileges, and 1t
is argued Ivy some that as the benefits are con-
fined to so small "a number it SHOULD not be made
public burden, hut that IL should be left to pri-
waite enterprise TO establish these schools ana to
private purses to pay for the benefits derived.
so long as the school is open to ali equal
terms the small number attending is argu-
ment against Its continuance, II enough attend to
employ atleast one teacher. But IS the higher
education OF sufficient importanceto the commu-
nifty TO justify the eXpense2 Does the pnblic re-
ceive an adequate return for the money2 These
are pertinent questions, and without we can an
swer them in the affirmative the Hish-sehnol
should he discontinued. In the opinion of your
committee the benefit to the community amply
value to the community of every citizen to
whom this higher education is given, and, Also
because without the High-school we would be
dependent on other localities to educate
our teachers Sixty per cent. OF
the teachers in our schools
are graduates of our high and normal schools
and u large per cent. of these would not have
been able TO have prepared themselves for their
work without this free High School. A careful
examination shows that n large per cent of the
parents of the pupils would be unable to send
their children to private school,"
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS.
The committee thought that IL reduction of the
operating expenses of the library should be
made, but, as the matter is now under considera-
tion by the library committee they made no rec
concentrations.
AS matter of economy they recommended
that next year no special teacher of music should
be employed.
IL was also recommended that the present
practice OF the supply department in furnishing
oopying-honks to the pupils free should be dis
continued which would save $500 year.
The report was signed by Messrs Merritt and
Frenzel and in conclusion they stated that they
had "examined with care and patience every
item of expenditure, not only question inc
whether 1t could not without serious loss be en-
tirely abolished" The report was received and
was cOncurred III after some comment from the
members of the board.
The question of employing three additional
: principals for the district supervision was re-
ferred TO the committee on teachers and sal aries
and the board adjourned after being in session
about an hour
The Usual Howl,