The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-06
DIRECTORS CONSIDER
SALARY OF TEACHERS
Superintendent Advocates In.
crease for Those in High
Schools


dition of the high schools of the city,
and plans for relieving them. occupied
the attention of the school board last
night. Plans for the new school house
We're discussed, also the proposed in
crease in the salaries of teachers in
which the merit system was Endorsed
to some extent by Superintendent
Smith.
After discussing plans submitted for
the new high school in the Seventh
ward, the board decided to make some
alterations in order to give larger
rooms. The building will be eight
rooms. and 71x98 feet 1t will stand at
Oxford street and Selby and Hague
avenues. Plans for the heating plants
for the Whittier and Hancock schools
were approved and bids ordered called
for.
A patron appeared before the board
to protest concerning the overcrowded
condition of the Central high school.
He was informed that the board had
endeavored to have the council make
appropriations for additional room but
failed. He was referred to the council.
In this connection Superintendent
Smith submitted report on the at
tendance at the several high schools of
the city. The attendance at Cleveland
Is 298, Central, 1873, Humboldt, 273, and
Mechanic Arts 456, making a total of
$500. Superintendent Smith I'm his re-
port said that some of the rooms were
designed for grade school work, and
not adapted for the high school.
Dissatisfaction Is General
In communication of the question
of teachers salaries and other ques-
tions Superintendent Smith took occa-
sion to say that there was a general
dissatisfaction with the results obtain
ed from the public schools the whole
country over, as instanced by commits
sions of inquiry in nearly every city
in the country. Considering the time
and money spent on the public school
system, he did not think this should be
so. He concluded that the system was
meritorious, however.
He mentioned three questions which
were pressing for solution. the most
important of which was that of salaries
for teachers. He presented a report
made by committee appointed by him
some time ago. 1t showed the max
imum and minimum salaries paid in
the United States in high schools. The
cities were divided in seven different
groups. according to size. St. Paul is
in the fourth group. Here is the range
of salaries in this class: indianapolis,
$3.50 to $500: Kansas City. S405 to $500;
Providence, $500 to $3.50; Rochester,
$500 to $500; St Paul, $500 to $3.50 per
year. The salaries have recently been
advanced in Kansas City and Milwau-
kee.
In many cities the question of an in
crease of salaries is being planned,
says the report. The question has
come up whether all of the teachers
should share in the advance. Some cit
les have adopted the So-called merit
system" but Supt. Smith concludes that
the best plan is to make responsibility
1 hn heae-
superintendent submitted this outline
to be considered in raising the stand
ard of the teaching. 1t went to the
committee on schools.
Briefly stated, without argument, my
opinion is:
First-That notwithstanding the large
amount expended for school purposes. we
cannot hope to maintain the excellent
standing of our school system without
materially improving the condition Of our
teachers.
Second-That greater care in the prep
aration of our teachers in the Teachers
Training school. and in selecting teachers
continually exercised.
Third-That due notice should be taken
OF the continued progress and growth of
teachers as shown in the management and
instruction Of children.
Fourth-Dfferences in amount of com
pensation should be determined by re-
Fifth-The salaries of high school
teachers, because of the greater prepara-
ton required and of the magnitude Of che
| responsibility, should be higher than at
present.
Law Is Imperative
The superintendent took action on
the request of the labor commissioner
for cooperation in the work of secur-
ing delinquent school children, by
throwing the burden on the board, and
/ declaring that the compulsory educa-
tional law Of the state seemed to be
practically imperative. A truant Of
ficer had been asked for, but the su-
perintendent does not think he could
work effectively. Moreover, the ex-
pense of such an officer would be at
least $1,000 a year.
A letter asking that May 9, the day
of the death of Frederick Won Schiller,
be made holiday. was read. 1t was
deemed inadvisable, but the superin-
tendent was instructed to have suitable
exercises held in each of the schools.
The Murray school was voted $4,000
for a piano fund. Miss Margaret Stat
terry of Franklin was granted a leave
of absence. and Miss Elizabeth Daugh-
erty was given her room. Miss Litta
Zahm was reassigned to her former
| position at the Drew school to replace
Miss Dougherty.