The star and Newark advertiser., 1908-08-26
MISS M'DONALD'S
MOTHER BITTERLY
ARRA|GNS BOARD
Accuses Harrison SchO0lmen OF
Rank FavOritism in ADJUST
ing Teachers Salaries.
ALLEGES RELATIVES OF
MEMBERS HAD PREFERENCE
Her Daughter Disseminated
Against While Others Less
Experienced We're Promoted.

After tile action taken by the 1taTfl-
son Board of Education last night in
suspending Miss Lucy a. Mcdonald
for failure to appear before the board
and explain criticisms contained in let
ters sent by her to the board. the fol-
lowing communication was received by
the board from Mrs. Catherine McDon-
aid, mother of the suspended teacher;
ITO tho Board Of Education of Harri-
son:
"As a member of the board has seen
fit TO dlgress from the question under
discussion, the salaries of teachers, and
make the statement that the Mcdonald
family has been we'll taken care Of,
as long as he can remember, 1 now
take up the case.
las large taxpayer, / want to know
the system by which the salaries of
our public schools are graded. | de-
sire this information in the interest
of all teachers who have been discrim-
mated against. When a relative of
two members of the board, and all
teachers in her grade, receive $500 per
year, though having but two years
experience, and the lowest county cer-
tificate, what do you pay to teachers
with second grade certificates, and
greater experience? The teacher who
had the courage to question your
methods has had the highest grade
county certificate for three years, and
teaching experience for six years,
yet she receives but $3.50. The presi-
dent of the board has relative on the
w IN hp1 hU
months experience and the lowest cer-
tlficate, If any, yet she is paid $552 No
certificates were scrutinized this year.
Why not?
Voters Indifferent.
1.-THE truth of the matter is the voters
of Harrison have been for years so
Indifferent to public school affairs that
conditions exist here that would not
be tolerated in any other community.
"When School No. was completed,
a janitor was appointed, who was capa-
Bile, and Industrious, and did his work
well. He expected to be retained, bur
the following year, without a day 5
notice, the father of a trustee was
named in his place, with large increase
of salary. This relative is lazy and
Incompetent, totally unfit for the re-
sponsibility of a school; and his lack
Of knowledge of the heating apparatus
is likely to cause serious trouble. A
janitress was appointed TO assist with
the work. She does practically all the
sweeping and busting, at salary Of
$500, While the aged relative draws $500
per year, and visits the adjacent sa-
looms with unwonted regularity during
school hours. OF course, we all know
it has never been considered Il breach
of school etiquette for the male educa-
tors of Harrison, much less a janitor,
To frequent saloons and show signs
thereof. In fact It seems a guarantee
of retention in office, and increase OF
salary, all of which l am ready To eX-
plain 10 the State Board of Education
"1he comparison of salaries will up
hold the statement that relatives ol
some members of the board. and teach
ers in the same grade. were the bene-
ficiaries OF the so-called schedule this
year There are several trustees who
have no relatives on the teaching staff
| but they are culpable when they vote
| for a scheme without knowing the
standard of promotion.
Lucy A. Mcdonald received but $37
/ for her first years teaching, though
appointed at salary of $3.50, vacation
| being deducted. it seems. A relative o
| two trustees received $500 in full TO
| her first year, and Is now getting 5000
! though having but two years expert
ence, and the lowest grade certificate.
Another trustee has a relative OF
| the staff who receives $500. which he
| experience deserves, and to which n
exception is taken, except to prove tha
| the relatives of trustees are well looket
! after.
| Question of Fairness.
i whether salaries be high or low
there should be a fair schedule tina
| every teacher could understand 1t /
l not so much a question of salary as Q
\ justice and fairness. If the town q
| Harrison can afford to pay 1852 pc
4 year to a teacher who has had but
| few months experience, then $700 a
least should be paid a teacher with tn
| highest grade county certificate and 81
| years experience. Whether Lucy A
Mcdonald be dismissed or not, thi
question will be brought before tn
highest tribunal in the State.
I'm case Trustee Enright's remark
had reference to the chapter now close
in the history of the Mcdonald family