New-York tribune., 1894-03-26
FOR THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT BILL


FOR THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT BILL.
A SCHOOL COMMISSIONER ENDFAvoRs TO SHOW
THAT 1T Would LIE AN ADVANTAGE TO
THE CITY-wHAT SALARIES ARE PAID.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The Teachers Retirement bill seeks to con-
fer power upon the Board OF Education OF the city
of New-York to retire upoa small annuitles male
and female teachers who have completed. respective
ly. thlryfve and thirty years OF service as teachers
in the city schools The annuity is to be half the sal
airy received by the teacher at date or retirement
but in to exceed 1900. Since the average
salary paid to all teachers. male and female,
is $500. the average annuity Will be 500. This bill
Is not pension BILL and in this respect differs from
dill previous attempts to secure legislation for the
retirement Of teachers. The source of the money 10
carry out the intentions of the act Is in the pockets
Of the teachers themselves. The Board of Education
is by the terms Of the bill empowered to change
its bylaws as to create an adequate fund for the
purposes OF the act by deducting for absence from
duty from the salaries of the teachers. The presen;
bylaw of the Board of Education is as follows:
Teachers may be excused with full pay for alb
sence from duty follows: BY the proper Board
Of Trustees for not more than two days In any one
month but not exceeding in the aggregate ten days
be granted to any teacher OF less than five years
service BY the Committee Oh Teachers (of the
Board of Elucaton) on application Of the proper
Board of Trustees, when the absence is caused by.
or on account Of. contagious disease
by the Boarl of Education application of the
proper Board of Trustees. and report thereon OF the
Committee on Teachers, for not more than sixty
three school days in the aggregate. Such excuse
shall be granted only when caused by the teachers
personal Illness. or by reason Of death occurring
in the immediate family of the said teacher. and
only to teachers OF at least five years service"
Vha afat at ipIft Il i1tat
teachers under these bylaws by trustees during 1892
$3.50 10. The total amount Of money given to
individual teachers under these bylaws by the Board
Of Education during 1892 was sl';7,1 5s The total
ing 1882 testmated was about s5WD Ihe total or
these three Items IS &o3iI S. or The amount am ina;
of this act-if II were then law This amount Is more
than double what would be required
1t is evident that under the provisions of this Act
not one Loliar is added to taXaton The Board % OF
stead OF as now presenting money unearned TO the
individuals who may be absent from duty. use
portion OF the aggregate to create fund for
those who have become mentally or physically m
capable OF doing the same work they did in the
past For years past the Board of Education mas
been discussing ways and means TO relieve the
schools of teachers whose usefulness has by years
of faithful work become impaired II mas been found
impossible to obtain the legal vote. either In the
Board of Education or in he Boards M Of Trustees & 70
be manifestly benefited Ana this is So because OF
a removal under the circumstances would be harsn
and cruel. Most of these cases are those or
teachers,
sioners and trustees themselves were as boys These
ladies' during the last thirty years or more have
been working for the city for inadequate salaries.
When II Is stated to-day that the average salary
Of the female teachers is less than 800 per annum
and that this is munifcent as compared with the
rates paid female teachers thirty years the
nppant statement that these teachers ought 70
have been provident and 10 have saved from their
salaries (Which barely gave decent Ving) for their
old age. becomes In fact cruel. The salary Tor Il
young lady who to-day begins to teach. after her
four years preparatory at the college COM
pete Is. during the whole Of the first year. only
Sl0S S3i per month This act VIII enable the
lie servants I'm the schools without doing them in
Justice II will thus provide for the appointment or
young and vigorous teachers TO take the places or
those retired and the children OF the city. who
the ones first be regarded in all school legislation
will be receiving within year the best instruction
the city can provide.
believe that there never has been presented 10
the legislature any measure that has contained
50 much OF real value the children of the city OF
NewYork or that mi he far-reaching in its good
effects The bill has the approval Of the Board Of
wards Of the city there is an excess 9I teachers
and principals for the pupils taught This Is es-
pecaily 50 in The First Second. Fourth fiftn'
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Wards.
The difficulty has been that the excess or teachers
and principals due to the popula ton moving north,
ward. Of such an age thaving faithiulN servei
the city for forty years or morel that they are not
physically capable Of taking charge OF the large
classes found In the uptown schools. The Retlre.
meni bill makes provision for these suprahhua'e1 W !
teachers and principals without being harsh ana
cruel true and tried public servants Inc ,om-
mttee on Teachers Of the Board OF Education have
now completed and will report at ne next meeting
nually s2j01l In salaries: To THIS add tne SAVING
from salary account Of those retired and fuliy S0-
These facts are submitted to The Tribune for your
nforma ton and that OF your readers. as well as IN
the cause OF truth AMI justice - ,.,D,>-
School Commissioner.