The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-07-01
PAY OF STOCKTON PEACHES.

The stockton city board OF eduea-
tlon has placed itself sauarely on ree-
ord concerning the compensation Of
teachers In the public schools, inci-
dentally the members OF the board. sub
mitting report, have hit upon 50
many topics of general concern that
their reasoning and presentation OF
facts have more than the ordinary in-
terest. The minimum salary of Stock
TONS grade teachers Is raised from $500
to $500 per annum. while the maximum
grade salary Is raised from $3.50 TO 5000.
The salaries OF the principals OF the
smaller schools are increased from 5000
10 $1,000. In the high school certain
salaries are advanced.
| Among the conclusions reached by the
board some are worth attention
lthroughout the state, II IL set up az
an axiom that among the requisites OF
teachers are tact In management. an
even and kindly disposition and the
health. strength and ability and inclina-
ton for constant Improvement Added
to these specifications the board holds
liz Ia be essential that teachers shall be
possessed Of moral character above
reproach and that they shall have so-
elal training as shown In personal man-
ners, habits and dress that win present
q good example 10 the children.
The action Of the board In raising
salaries is based upon several consid-
erations. Stated eoncisely, these are
that the growing compensation OF the
stockton teachers has not kept pace
with the higher standards of work de-
manded In the schools; that the more
extended training now required takes
from two to six years more time than
was formerly necessary 10 properly
iequlp the teacher: that during the
period when the cost Of living has In
creased there has been marked advance
in the salaries In oil lines OF profess
isional work with the exception of those
for teaching; that the time and expense
involved in becoming competent
teacher equals such outlays In fitting
for any other profession; that teachers
have a right 10 a support that bears a
lust relation to the kind OF work they
are doing and to the ability needed TO
do It well.
Prior to voting TO give the teachers
more money for their services the
board inquired how 10 rate the COM
pensation. The conclusion was arrived
at that teachers who have made teach
ing life work are entitled to the larg-
est maximum salary that the city Ia
able to pay. In making the adjustment
the stand was taken that no salary
should be reduced and that all ought
to be increased.
Applying the scedule TO salaries paid
the individual teachers shows an In"
icrease for the coming year Of to %
per cent over those that have been paid
The largest increase Is granted TO the
younger teachers in the school depart
ment. with q substantial increase "a
Those who have served many years.
It was found that schedule based
on a fiat salary would result In cut
ting the salaries of 10 teachers and that
basis was dropped without further con-
lsideration. This question was raised
when the board confronted an inquiry
whether all teachers should be paid the
same salary or should be compensated
according to training and experience
LIT was also ascertained that reducing
the number OF years to elapse before
the maximum Is reached would cut
down the pay Of Is teachers and that
idea was rejected. Clearly the purpose
lin Stockton was TO encourage the
teachers as much as possible and tc
provide sufficient salaries TO make II
an object for persons Of ability to con-
ltinue to instruct the young.