Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-25
Report of Teachers Meeting.

Report of Teachers Meeting.
at the Teachers meeting, held at the office OF
County superintendent of Public schools in
Staunton, on Saturday, March 18th, 1884. Rev.
A. Hoover was elected permanent President
and Robert j. Dyche elected Secretary.
Mr.. Hoover thanked the teachers for the
honor conferred upon him and explained the
object of the Convention.
Mr.. Jordan read the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas the present school-law of Virginia,
by its enforced average, effects nothing except 10
close the school-houses or turn them INTO nur,
series for children under school age, or defraud
the teacher of his just wages, and put upon
him burdens grievous' to bear and whereas
time and experience have fully developed the
fact that compulsory average without com
pulsory attendance is not simply an absurdlty
but gross and palpabe outrage upon the
teacher, holding him and him only responsible
for that which he can neither remedy nor help
and whereas the evidence is abundant Tor De-
lieving that enforced average" is but announcer
name for "death'' to the public free schools OF
Virginia; and whereas. by subjectlng tne
teacher to frequent examinations, nothing is
effected, except to humiliate him, and put upon
him an indignity which is put upon the 1oi-
purpose except to drive every one out OF the
profession that can get ont; be it
Resolved lst. That we, the teachers OF AL
gusta county in convention assembled, 90
hereby pray the Board of Education of the
State of Virginia to cause to be stricken from
the school law or regulations that part OF the
law or that regulation wherein the teachers
salary is made to depend upon the average
daily attendance of his school; that the school
law be so amended as to read: That when the
contract is made between the teacher and the
District School Board that the teacher be con-
tracted with to teach the school without any
reference whatever to the subject of average
that will inure to the detriment Of the teacher
Resolved md, That inasmuch as the followers
of no profession. nor any of the public servants
teachers. are required to be vexed and harassed
by constantly recurring examinations; and
inasmuch as leading educators and state su-
perintendents in other States discountenance
the practice and pronounce 10 needless, and IN
stead of giving expansion to the broad field OF
literature, works contraction; and inasmuch
as it needlessly subjects the public school
teachers to an infinite amount OF trouble, vex-
alton, and expense, from which there seems 10
be no relief, we further pray the Board of Edu-
cation of the State of Virginia that it cause the
school law thus to read: That when any teach
er has passed a satisfactory examination, ana
has furnished satisfactory evidence OF capacity
and general fitness reaching an average OF at
least 80 per cent. upon questions submitted
upon examination, that he De furnished com
mission to teach in the public free schools of
the State which shall stand in full force so
long as no just reason appear why it should be
revoked.
The above were adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Butcher said: 1 think it only just while
we are discussing school laws, that teachers
|
selection of County Superintendent. This. sir.
is the first time that we have had practical
teacher to fill this position, and I think that
the Sup erintendent should always be selected
from among the ranks. but heretofore we have
had lawyer or doctor. Why. sir, we would
be laughed at If we proposed to make black
smith a medical examiner, or carpenter to
issue license to our young expounders of
Blackstone We ask but Justice, and justice
| let US demand.
Mr. Jordan said agree with the gentleman;
but do not let US attempt too much at once.
There is time sufficient for that. We may be
| like Davy Crockett says. bite off more than
we can chaw." Let us confine ourselves to the
immediate pressure-the red tape business of
| school warrants. and cannot under stand why
| the teachers hard-earned salary is so hedged
| about by school officers The amount is too
small to steal; still he is compelled TO send his
report to the County Superintendent, and he
| gives the teacher receipt, which he takes to
| the Clerk of the Board; said Clerk then gives
a warrant on County Superintendent and SUI
perintendent gives anothe warrant on County
Treasurer; then the Treasurer gives teacher a
check on the bank, and by the time the teacher
gets his money he has earned it a second time.
| Mr.. Farrier asked if the School Board can
change the law by which a teacher gets his
pay. Referred to committee to ascertain
with regard to this fact
Mr.. Farrier advocated an increase of salary.
The present one is insufficient.
| Mr.. Jordan didn't know what could be done
about that unless Congress appropriates for
this purpose, as it is said it will, according to
| the illiteracy of each State.
Mr.. Hoover said :-Virginia's teachers will
!
| rich.
r. ]. Dyche said 1t is indeed true that we are
poorly paid but I, for one, am willing to earn
every dollar 1 receive from the school fund of
Virginia. Teachers are supposed to be-by the
| patrons-the most lazy class of individuals in
existence, and said patrons think any body
could teach school who could be lazy enough.
1t would be most unheard of piece of effronte-
ry to increase their pay. How shall we do then :?
! Let them extend the sessions to ten months,
paying us the same salary per month that we
now receive. Show them that we will try to
earn it, if they consider teaching can be called
earning 1t.
Mr.. Jordan said know teacher who re-
ceives the munifcent sum of Sl4 per month,
| simply because she cannot keep up the aver
age, and she pays slz per month board; and if
the sessions are extended, the average require
| ment being the same, we Will all be in the
| same fix.
Mr.. Calhoun said: Let us have more pay for
| what we do now, and extend the sessions after
| wards.
Mr.. Amiss said. So say l. It is only just,
and none can blame what is just.
| Mr.. Butcher said: The Boards locate school
houses. andd they happen to locate one in a
corner of a district. and it does not suit the
patrons, do not understand why teacher
must suffer for that. 1t is not his place to bring
the children every morning. You engage a
carpenter. You must give him the lumber to
work, or he mnst be paid for his time. 1t Is
not his fault The Board appoints the teacher.
| Give him the material to work, or pay him.
He cannot help it because school-house loca-
| ton cuts an average. Pay him
Mr.. Jordan said move that committee,
consisting OF Messrs. Calhoun, Dyche, and
Butcher. be appointed to request the Board of
| Supervisors, when they make their next levy,
to do SO to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Motion carried.
Mr. Amiss said: move that the minutes of
the meeting be published in all county and
city papers.
Convention adjourned subject to call of the
President. A. HOOVER, President.
R. ]. DYoHE, Secretary.
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