New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-31
Committee Champions the
Stork in Report to the
Board of Education.
MORE CONCESSIONS
NEEDED, is HINT
Plan to Show Every Con
sideration for Mother
hood in Schools.

Two years leave Of absence for
teacher-mothers was recommended by
the special committee which made its
report yesterday afternoon at the
meeting Of the Board Of Education.
Champions of the married women
teachers hailed this act as the first
victory for their cause, and expressed
confidence that the Board Of Educs-
ton would not fail to adopt the re-
port of its committee. Final action
will be taken at the meeting Wednes-
day, when ten new members, all OF
whom are in favor of the teacher
mothers, will be seated.
The report was submitted to the
board yesterday, but owing to the small
attendance the matter was laid over
until next week /; had not been rati-
fled By the bylaws committee yester-
day, and for that reason a vote Of
81 would have been required, whereas
next week % votes will effect the pro-
posed changes.
Greater Concession Sought.
Sharp opposition is expected next
week on some Of the details Of the re-
port from the teacher-mother cham
pions, who regard me proposed changes
as not lenient enough.
As submitted By the special commit
tee of which Mrs. Ella ". Kramer is
chairman, the report is prefaced by the
remark that the committee has en-
deavored to regard the whole prob
lcm anew in a fair and impartial spirit
without regard to any opinions that
may have been previously entertained
by its members" Joseph II. Barondess
and Olivia Leventritt were the members
of the committee who voted in favor
OF tho teacher-mother in the Wagner
case.
The committees recommendation il
in the form of an addition to the by
law regarding leave of absence, and
reads as follows:
"The Board of Education shall have
power 20 grant leave Of absence with
out pay of anv kind to principals and
teachers Tor a period not 10 exc ed one
wear for purposes of study or restora-
ton Of health. or for period of two
wears for bearing and rearing chill /
dreu. Every member Of the teaching /
or supervising staff shall apply for |
leave of absence as soon as she be- /
comes aware OF pregnancy, and failure /
to do so shall be deemed an act OF in +
subOrdination.'
The report explains this las pro- /
vision as follows:
"The committee believes that IL /
would De entirely safe in the great ma 4
;ority Of cases TO leave to the Judg, /
mcnt and discretion Of the individual /
teachers to decide when to apply Tor .
such leave OF absence. but that ~ 4
sentiment Of the board and the com
murity against the continuance OF /
teachers in the schoolroom .
is 20 pronounced that il is advisable .
10 incorporate definite prohibition IN .
he bylaws"
To Protect Teacher-Moiher.
The report continues:
THAT the dismissal Of a teacher for
marriage or motherhood can be justl-
fcd only on the ground that it is Getri-.
mental TO the interests of the schools.
THAT the interruption Of school work
by granting leave Of absence IS little
II any greater than the interruption
caused by dismissal, provided that the
position is not held open during such
absence.
"Thet it is undesirable that women
should continue to teach during gcsta-
tion and that they are much less like
ly 70 do this if they know that they can
secure a leave Of absence.
THAT although in large proportion
81 ca the domestic duties and inter
ests of the mother-teacher must seri-
ouslv affect ncr school work, it is diff
fcult to Justify the dismissal of any
efficient teacher on the ground that
she may be expected 10 become inei'i-
cient or neglectful of duty ct some
future time.
"Thst the interest OF the schools in