Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-19
State Superintendent of Education
Ranger Gives a Public
Interview.
LOCAL SENTIMENT NEEDED
Cannot Force Communities beyond the
Local Standard some System OF
State Aid the Only Promise OF
Permanent Progress in Edu.
cational Matters.

Montpelier. March 13.-Thc recent inter-
view by a Free Press man with the Hon.
Walter Il. Ranger, state superintendent
of education, regarding the pay of Ncr-
mont school teachers has been so widely
copied by the State press and has occa-
stoned so much editorial comment, Free
Press representativetest erday calledpn Mr.
Ranger asking him to suggest some RENE
dies whereby the teachers of Vermont
might he more adequately paid for their
services and in response to inquiries along
this line made the following statement:
The press is performing a vital public
service in rs comnendahle discussion of
teachers wages. It's appreciation of the
loyal and devoted service Of these public
servants and its appeal for justice to them
must be Il matter of qualification to all
citizens concerned with educational inter-
ests. In my recent report l said: The
betterment of schools comes not only
through wise legislation but also through
right organization and practice. inspired
by an enlightened public opinion, in the
administration of the laws 1t is in this
enlightment of public thought and the de-
velopment of right public sentiment. judg
ment and effort, as an essential means of
educational progress, that the press has
shown the power to render great service.
One paper has said: This is a crying
shame OF our public school system. Until
living wage can be paid our district
school teachers. we cannot hope for any
great or radical cducat! )nal advance. How
is II to be managcd.' To improve our
poorest schools more money is needed. [
beg to quote again from my report: How
to provide by law for the sufficient support
OF all our schools, so that the poorest town
shall have the revenue to sustain good
schools without causing excessive taXa-
ton, is a task TO test the Legislators
thought and sense of justice. The method
Of providing for adequate school revenue
and expenditure is tho first and CHIEF
element in the solution of the rural school
problem.
The appeal for higher wages Of teachers
is not a plea alone for the teachers but for
the betterment of our schools. There is
suggestion for reelection in the fact that
the average pay of female teachers in
Vermont is $271G per month while in the
United States it is s39l7 per month.
How is it to be manaGed?" The problem
involves the beliefs. customs, traditions
and life of our people, and can only be
solved through progressive experience
And yet there are several things that
can be done and there are practical sug-
gestions i'll the experience of this and
other States.
Pennsylvania has recently passed law
making the minimum wages of public
teachers So per month. Vermont might
enact a similar law. But such a law would
work hardship for the towns that already
arc burdened with excessive taxation, I'M
less the state came to their relief. Such
a law would probably not be supported
without State aid.
MaSsa chuSetts, under certain conditions
increases the pay Of rural teachers out
of State funds. Such practice is at least
worthy of consideration. Here again it is
the state THAI attempts the solution of
the difficulty.
1t seems that the State must take the
lead in making good schools universal