The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-01
Pensions for Teachers.

1t has never been very clear to the mind OF the
slitnr OF the Gordonsvle Gazette why the school
teachers should come under the head of pensioners.
why" asks our contemporary should the State
oil Virginia pay pensions to the school teachers,
any more than it should to commissioners of rev.
snuc, preachers and doctors?
The State of Virginia does not pension the school
teachers, in the that contemporary uses
\ The term At the request of many of the teachers,
The Legislature passed bill creating pension fund.
But the teachers themselves pay the cost in the
main. The State pays only $4,000 year. while
The teachers pay some S25 900 or $4,000. The
present plan is not altogether satisfactory and it
is understood that the law will be materially
amended during this session.
But the question under discussion is the policy of
the system and We think that it is WISE not to say
necessary.
Ills benefit nf the teachers, as
for the benefit Of the public school system. Under
An act ct the Legislature the State became more or
less 4 custodian OF pension fund which the teachers
Themselves pay out Of their salaries This fund Is
gcae for the benefit Of the teachers themselves
lisf tof the benefit OF the public school system.
When teacher has worn out in the work some pro-
vision should ID made for her retirement otherwise
the service itself will suffer. We are all human and
the members Of the school boards have their share
OF human sympathy and tender merccs When a
teacher has served the school system efficiently and
faithfully during "a long period school trustees cam
not find il in Ncit hearts to turn her upon the
Ifu tIldrtA DI June world. Even II they could, the
community cAJud not stand for it. If there is no
provision H. such teacher she is apt to be re-
tanned notwithstanding that she is not physically
able 70 perform the work efficiently. Thus the
school over which She presides suffers accordingly
In thar sense the State has been pensoning many
teachers and it is the most expensive pension imag
1 Unable. Il is as II man in business should retain
IN responsible position faithful employee who
h the slang 81 the street IS able hold down the
job. Such employer may be willing to pay the
salary q such an employee, but he cannot afford
30 retain him In his position for obvious reasons
The same IS true Of the public school system When
teachers for one reason or another, become ncom-
petent, they must be retired or the service will be
impaired
But il there is a retirement fund, matter how
provided, when teachers wear out they may be and
will be retired without hardship them and younger
md more efficient teachers substituted
This system Of pension obtains in the police dc
partment Of Richmond The Police Benevolent
Association has accumulated, through contribu-
flDns from policemen and from other sources con
siderable sum- which is held in trust for the benefit
81 retired members OF the force The sum is in
vested and the income is used care for those who
arc entitled TO IFS benefits In this way, not ONLY
are the retired members of the force provided for
out the efficiency OF the police force is maintained