The Washington times., 1911-07-15
COMP PTROLLER MUST
DECIDE QUEST|ONOF
TEACHERS SALARIES
Upon His Definition of a
Year Depends Increases
in Their Pay.
What In a year?~

| '" nat u VeacI~
Auditor Tweedale today submitted this
question to the Commissioners with the
request that 1t be forwarded to the
Comptroller Of the Treasury for an
opinion. Upon 1t depends the annual
increase Of salaries given to teachers In
the public schools. The Board Of Edu-
cation has certified TO the Office Of the
| Auditor for approval and audit, several
pay rolls containing the names of GER
tain teachers for balances claimed to
be due them. The Auditor is uncertain,
whether the teachers. In view Of the
length OF their services, are entitled to
the amounts claimed.
"a study OF the organic act of~the
schools and It's several amendments and
the decisions Of the Comptroller Of tho
Treasury and the courts placing con-
structions upon the law. says Auditor
Tweedale. ''dlscloses the fact that there
are three distinct periods Of service gov
erntng increases Of salaries CT certain
teachers in the public schools with vary
Ing measures Of time representative Of
year, upon which Is [predicated the
allowance Of longevity pay. There is
hrst. the longevity probationary year
relating to teachers appointed to group
III class six. which Is held to be on
the basis Of a calendar year by the
Board Of Education.
Next there Is the year Of experience
Ior appoiniye purposes which the
hours OF teaching service without the
public schools of the District of Column
ola. Lastly, there is the period Of serv-
ice required to entitle a teacher to the
automatic increase OF 500 a year pro-
yided for teachers in group A, class six.
The question which has arisen and
which Is before this office for considera-
ton may be illustrated in the following
manner: A teacher appointed to group
A, class six. June 16 1903, completes the
probationary term June Is. 1910.
Upon the expiratio VI the proba-
uonary period Of service the Board of
Education tenders the teacher a per-
manent appointment, and the teacher
lowance of 500 additional for teaching
experience obtained in the probationary
year. The teacher. therefore, on and
after June 16, 1910, receives for the bal
school term, about a week thereafter,
compensation at the rate of $l,100. The
teacher continues in services and re-
ports for duty at the opening of the
school in September.
Section Of the act Of June 20, 1906,
provides for an annual increase OF 500
to teachers in group A, class s. Under
the decision of the Comptroller of the
Treasury of August q. 1907, this teacher
would. on September l following be en-
~ diONHCT OI max
ing his salary 100 a year. This teach
er under this arrangement would,
therefore, have received on June Is an
increase of 800 reason Of experience,
and on September l, following, an in
crease of 800 for service by reason of
service, although the service upon
which the increase is based is limited
to the period between June is and the
closing of the schools. not more than
one week.
II full years service be not required,
then some definite rule should be laid
down for the guidance of the account
ing officers, establishing a minimum
length Of service in which a teacher
must be employed to entitle him to an
annual increase"