Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-10

Teachers Association of Worcester
County as committee to present to
the taxpayers and public officials Of the
county our position in asking for
large appropriation for the schools so
that the teachers may receive at least
their just and legal salaries, wish to
submit for the consideration of the pub
lie the following facts:
First. According to the testimony Of
the colleges and other institutions of
learning to which students from the
schools of Worcester County have ap-
piled for admission, the students from
our schools have generally ranked we'll
with those from other counties. Many
others who have not attended college
after leaving our county schools have
done well in business. private and pub
lie, and in other walks of life. Thus
the efficiency and faithfulness of the
teachers is proved.
Second. Until three years ago the
teachers of Worcester County received
no more salary than teachers received
4
80 or more years ago. viz 1852 for first
grade and S2l6 for second grade in dis
trict schools Meanwhile the-css.-a at.
living has in that time advancedn--
ally, possibly rs much as so per
About three years ago the state legi
ture enacted law making it obligatl
to pay at least $500 to every whit
teacher making a yearly average of Is
pupils and providing penalties for failure
to comply with this law. Accordingly
all teachers first and second grade
alike) whose yearly average is 10, now
receive $500, which is an increase Of
about 40 per cent to the amount before
paid to second grade teachers and an
increase of 20 per cent. to that paid
first grade teacher. There is now no
difference in the salaries paid to first and
second grade teachers, and consequently
there is less incentive for teachers to
obtain the more liberal and expensive
educational land the schools
will thereby suffer. But since many of
the rural schools cannot maintain an
average of l5 all the year round. almost
20 per cent, of the teachers are still paid
the prices of 80 years ago.
Third. According to the last Annual
Report of the Department of Education
Of the State of Maryland, the lowest
average yearly salary paid in this state
to the white teachers in 1908 was paid
to the teachers of Worcester County,
excepting one county on the Western
Shore that keeps the schools open only
| u months, and one on the Eastern Shore
each of which counties has a considera-
bly, larger number of teachers and
makes larger county levy for schools
than Worcester County makes.
Fourth. BY enactment of the Mary
land legislature of 1908, law was
passed, which provides that commencing
with this year all white teachers hold
ing a first-class teachers certificate and
who have taught for period Of three
o eight years in any Of the public
schools of Maryland, shall receive as q
salary an increase of fifty to one hum
dred and fifty dollars above the minimum
salary. OF course it was intended BY
means of this law to encourage longer
term of service from teachers as well
as to pay for the added teaching ability
thus gained. But, by the failure of the
County Commissioners to levy suf-
ficient sum for this purpose, the present
outlook is for those teachers who should
be beneficiaries by this Act this year
to lose from $50 to $50 of their right
full salary.
Fifth. 1t should be noted that the in
creased cost of living Of other salaried
people in the county has been met with
substantial increase of salary in per-
haps every instance. The teachers be-
lieve that the people appreciate the
value of the schools. and will cheerfully
contribute sufficient to maintain their
high standard of past years. but that
the public needs to be acquainted with
the facts herein stated. We believe
also, that the Board of County Commits
sioners will levy sufficient sum to
meet the increased demands of the
schools when assured it is the will Of
the people that they should do SO. There
fore, the teachers throughout the county
will within the next few weeks circu-
late petition. giving the taxpayers
and school-patrons the opportunity Of
expressing themselves in this particular;
and it is hoped that every one to whom
the petition is presented will sign it on
behalf of the teachers.
1t is but just to our School Board 10
add, that they will be glad to make the
increase in salaries when they are given
the means with which to do 1t.
Respectfully,
JOHN S. HILL,
| CLARKE E0NTATNE