The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-28
RETRENCHMENT IN THE SCHOOLS.

Seattle. Jan &c. 1897.
To the Editor; The caption Sentiment
VS.. Facts which appeared in the Post
Intelligencer above the report of the meet
ing Of the retrenchment committee. when
Il met last Friday afternoon 10 consider
school finances, so eloquently character
lied ths proceedings that venture 70 offer
a few thoughts on that subject.
The question before the committee was.
How shall we retrench without injury TO
the schools AS several gentlemen elo-
quently defended the cause of the teachers
and schools against retrenchment, we are
led TO ask II they are heavy taxpayers of
the city? II Is usually the well-fed and
warmly clothed who talk OF eating aad
wearing less"
Superintendent Barnard spoke on the line
O; a high standard OF proficiency in the
schools and referred with commendable
pride 10 rhe school exhibit which this city
sent 20 the Worlds fair. Norwithstaud-
lng che fact that that exhibit cost the dis
trict $500. / DO not regret the enterprise
which placed II there at that time. But
K Is three years since the Worlds fair:
business has become Parslyzed. homes
have beer host ard exchequers have run
empty since then. He further asserted
thai a reduction OF teachers salaries
would result IN closing the schools.
hardly think H. when there are so many
applications or die. No one desires 10 see
the standard of our schools lowered. but
fail 70 see how Il IS maintained when a
university graduate s. turned down to
make place for man who Is not even
a graduate of a normal school
Now. eliminating all sentiment and per
sonallues from the question. the situation
sesms % be this: The school distrio: is now
bonded 70 the fJll limit OF the law allowing
frAa I
ed that We do now actually need three
more school buildings. There IS not money
Ia sight 70 much longer meet the current
expenses OF the schools. saying nothing
above needed Improvements. Special In
structson has been dispensed with and sal
aries have been reduced. and stiu there is
necessity Acr retreachment- The only
remedies suggested are shortening Of the
school terms or further reduction Of sal
aries
Less months OF school In the year VII
be as dis'asteful - the teachers. be-
heve, as 90 The patrons CT the schools. Al
though one dollar now buys as much as
two dc four years ago. I feel sure that
the teachers who receive the lowest rate
OF compensation should not suffer any fur
Their reduction % their salaries. They have
borne TIE principal weight e economy
long enough. The salary OF the saDsrFn-
trtfar5le sA@H Vl4le U-HN fe-1cc4 - per cent.
II SIX years. II is safe 70 say that there
Is no professional man Ia the city but has
Suffered > greater reduction OF his annual
income. ] would advise the committee 20
lock AFTER IRE higher salaries ard slso 70
learn = there Is any school taw which pro
yi3es the superintendent with a stenog-
r. phsr especially AZ so Per month. when
4 competent person can Re employed a.
s. instead.
Undoubtedly many dollars can yet he
saF6t without seriously endanrerGra- the
standard % the schools. but lei the & n
ca3ty ae met With Judgment ard hrmnes-
Instead - with sentimental sush and bonn
bast'c olaring a MOTHER.