The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-02
WOULD PROBE
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Committee Believes the Cur
riculum Could Be Great
~ Improved
COUNCIL IS URGED
TO TURN ON LIGHT
Lack of Harmony and Co.
operation Charged--In-
crease in Teachers Sal
airy Recommended

airy Recommended
-Inrestisatiea Of the public school
system OF Richmond was unanimous
" recommended by the Council COM
mittec on ordinance. charter and re-
form last night In accordance with
. report from a subcommittee, which
has been engaged for the last sew
sral weeks In probing into the oues-
ton Of salary for elementary teachers
The resolution submitted by the
subcommittee and recommended by
the full committee provides for the
appointment OF q special committee
OF seven-four from the Common
Council and three from the Board
OF Aldermen-who Shall be authoriz-
cd and directed to institute a thor
ough investigation in relation to mat
tNrs and things herein before set
forth and any other pertinent mat
ters concerning the management and
control Of the school system.'
Reasons For Probe.
The chief grounds ON which the
subcommittee based its recommen-
dalton for a probe are as follows:
A serious lack Of harmony and
cooperation between the teachers on
the one hand, and the principals and
superintendent on the other, which
has q tendency to demoraiize and
greatly decrease the efficiency OF the
public school system.
Complaints that the curriculum OF
the elementary grades arc not what
they should be and could be greatly
improved. with q much more prac-
ttcal and efficient course Of train
ing.
A desire 10 secure Legislative enact
ment to give the city school board
greater power In relation to the man
axefnent Of its own affairs. the com
mittee having ascartained that the
city school board at present Ia prac-
ticaily controlled by the State board
Of education In many matters OF the
greatest moment. although the major
portion Of the funds used In the CRY
schools comes from the city treasury
The fact that q number OF teachers
and supervisors are paid salaries
which, In the opinion of the commit
IGc 4GG IauNhA Al SA~Ss~ ~
should be.
Committee Explains.
In Justice to the school board. the
committee explained that their recon-
mendattons were made only upon tho
basis OF extraneous facts brought OUT
during its Investigation. the under
standing being that the COMMITTEES OF
seven would 20 TO the bottom OF the
whole affair. II council 20 directs
In addition to asking FOR the inves-
tieation, the committee which was
com posed OF Messrs. Pollock. Hirsch-
berg and Butler recommended that the
salaries Of elementary teachers be nx-
I'd - follows.
First year teachers the sum OF ]As
per month for nine months.
Second year teachers the sum Of 80
per month for ninc months.
Third year teachers the sum OF 1890
per month for nine months.
Fourth year teachers the sum or
971.6o per month for nine months.
Fifth year teachers the sum Of $50 Per
month for nine months.
Sixth year teachers the maximum
sum OF so Per month for nine months.
Want Money In 1912.
In q resolution embracing this scale
az salary which tho full committee also
adopted. Council Il requested to direct
the finance committee to put In tho
appropriation for schools for tho Ms
cai year. 1919. = sum sufncient to raise
the elementary teachers In tho school
system In accordance with tho scns-
dulo recommended.
It was also recommended that the
elemsntary teachers be Maded with
reference to their length Of services AZ
teachers. the presumption being that
no teacher would BE- retained who was
not thoroughly competent to instruct
In the course assigned her.
Tho proposed new schedule. II - es-
timated. win can for IN additional APP
Mr.. r. G. Ebel. . member OF tho
school board. tried to set the commit
tee to include .prsparation" a. wsll
~ s.service" In the matter Of grading
tho teachers. but he was unsuccessful
In his efforts.
Invites Invessa&asson.
Mr.. Hutxler. a. chairman Of the
School Board. acted ~ spokesman. He
invited full. fair ana free investigA-
ton. At tho same time he took the
Subcommittee to task for not con-
Board before drafting tn report. Mr..
Pollock. in rely insisted thak his
COMMITTEES. had acted strictly within
the bounds Of courtesy and propriety
In this matter. though he later ok
pressed hi willingness 10 apologize
% the board, II perhaps his commit
- had exceeded the bounds Of par
ltamentaxy procedure. ~ Mr.. Ehel
seemed 20 think he and his fellow
committe1men had done.
Wou10 0s1nG Increase
II tho course of his talk. Mr.. Hutx-
Ter took occaGaon 70 ny the School
hoard had a1rsady aSreed upon =
salary Increase Tor the teachers a.
3ollcws: memeutAx1 - per cont:
pgtncipals and high school teachers.
a psr csnt; csaored tsachEs 10 par
cent
This .:.AcsensA - far - the ele-
snen&nxy te40he9D aTo concerned. -
oolAaWAat eolo wthat recommended
~ The suhcamzaitteA
The Dropoao4 1nerease AgfUed uDoa
~ ~ 6oard II opu1tl1o0A1, e co&1oA
1D4 - a1Deeyal q fAe 0eu