The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-12-31
GRAND JURY.
CONTINUED from page ID

ence in the classroom, and lead and
personally encourage the youth TO seek
high ideals in every occupation OF lite,
a character above reproach, a good
stock of energy, ind an unlimited sup
ply of common > rlse.
The question of teachers salaries has
come to the attention of this grand jury,
and we desire to say: the reduction, In
salary, of all teachers employed in the
Territory. of 20 per cent, went into OPP
Grafton on the first day of last July, and
is still in force. This rather radical
measure for overcoming a shortage, by
compelling large and deserving class
to render UP one-hfth of their already
meager pay with an additional two per
cent discount to the banlssll has result
ed in their receiving sucf1 small month
w salary as to make it impossible for
many, even by the most rigid economy,
to liquidate their arrears, which are con-
sequently increasing. With few ex-
ceptions, the salaries of teachers, at best,
have been very low, barely providing
for their actual necessities, with no idea
of a competence for advanced age. Now
the salaries are out of all reason. We
consider this reduction in teachers sal
aries unjust, and we respectfully call
this matter to the attention of the Leg
islature for adjustment. Upon the facts,
as we find them, we would make the fol-
lowing recommendations
I. That teachers salaries be restored
2. That no regular teacher in the De-
partment of Education receive month
w salary of less than fifty dollars.
TEACHERS DISCHARGED WITH
OUT CAUSE.
a A law to indemnify Territorial
school teachers for moneys appropriated
from their July and August salaries OF
1904. which comprise the eleventh and
twelfth monthly installr1ents of their
annual salaries, provided for in sched-
ule. or payroll of teachers salaries for
1903 and 1904, which haG previously
been prepared and adopted by the Board
of Education in August, 1903, and used
from September I, 1908, to July I, 1904,
in determining monthly salaries of the
teachers of the Territory.
By competent. evidence this grand jury
is informed, and therefore reports, that
teachers have been discharged from the
Department of Education without cause
Such action we condemn, and recon-.
mend that the same be prohibited by
competent legislation, and that the Leg
z.
regular teacher of the Territory of Ha-
wall be suspended or dismissed from
duty until good cause shown, and IN
the following manner, |. e.:
All complaints or charges against
teachers or other employees of the
School Department shall be in writing,
duly signed and verified before a no.
tarv public, and filed with the Secretary
of the Department of Public Instruc-
ton. If the complaint or charge be
deemed worthy of investigation by the
Board of Education, copy OF the same
shall be served upon the accused at least
three days before the time of hearing
fixed by it, together with notice to ap-
pear. at the time and place fixed. The
accused may appear personally or by
counsel After hearing all testimony
produced, the Board shall take such ac-
ton as it may deem proper.
No teacher in the department, or who
shall be hereafter appointed, shall be
dismissed from the department, except
for INSTRUMENTATION, immoral or I'M
professional conduct, or evident unfit
ness for teaching All promotions of
teachers shall be based solelv on merit
and successful teaching. Nothing in
this section shall be construed to pre-
vent the Board from removing teachers
holding only special certificates or serv-
ing probationary term.
AGRICULTURAL WORK USELESS.
This grand jury also reports that it
finds that the School Department had on
hand June 80, 1904, school books to the
amount of $1o,325.o5. II seems to this
grand jury that this is a large amount
of books to be constantly carried by the
Territory, and that the supply of school
books should be contracted for with some
responsible book house doing business
in Honolulu We think this should be
done in Justice to licensed booksellers.
We further believe the practice of as
sessing school children for extra sup
plies, such as music. by teachers. should
be strictly prohibited We find that
there are four music teachers in the
pl bic schools of Honolulu.
This grand jury further believes that
the Agricultural Department, now in
vogue in the public schools, is useless,
ard the time and expense could be used
to better advantage.
This grand jury further finds that the
Commissioners of Education have rare