The Washington times., 1916-01-22
VICTORY IS CLAIMED
BY SCHOOL TEACHERS
Redrafted Bill Offered by New.
man Removed Their Princi-
pal Objection to Change.
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Judges Of the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict, he said he believed the teachers
would favor the latter because of the
high records made by boards so ap-
pointed
A curious development of the con-
test between the Board of Education
and the Commissioners, II was point
ed out. lies in the fact that usually
fire there will be at least small
group of school employees to Join in
the attack. SO far as they organized
at all. tho teachers were unanimous
in their support of the board during
the present contest.
The High School Teachers Associa-
tion concerned itself only with the
way i'm which the change would affect
teachers" said Mr.. Wallis, believing
that the larger issues of financial re-
sponsibility and other questions were
matters that concerned the Board ut
Education primarily.
Various Plans Studied.
I'VE prepared for presentation to
the committee a brief summary Of til"
various plans under which tho Wash
ington schools have been operated.
laying stress upon the improved Geo.
dition of teachers. and. we believe. The
marked progress in the schools under
the present one. Our other line Of
inquiry concerned the practice in
other cities. especially those having
commission forms of government, a.
to the control of school affairs. Their
we found only one clear-cut instance
of the commissioners appointing tn
school board, none where the comms-
@ioners appointed the teachers and
not a single Clear-cut instance where
they named the superintendent.
a
by the research committee Of the
Public Education Association. We in
corporated in our report to Mr.. Lloyd S
sub bcommittce."
The principal feature of the associa-
TONS report was that dealing with the
defects Of previous plans. Before July
j. 1900, the Commissioners named the
superintendent 81, and a board of trustees:
teachers. a long list Of defects under
this plan was listed. Including "one-
man rule by superintendent as the rep
resentative Of the Commissioners IN
by arbitrary rule as to details: fear on
part of teachers of uncertainty of te-
nure Of office; alleged unfair methods
of appointment friction between super
intendent and teachers.
School Interests Suffered.
Under the second plan, adopted in
1900, there also was no salary schedule
for teachers. The Commissioners ap-
pointed the board. which appointed the
superintendent. Defects charged against
this plan included these: when educa-
tional interests coniicted with material
interests Cfire, police, etc). the educa-
tional interest always yielded; teachers
received starvation wages; lack of eco
nomical administrations board, not su-
perintendent, seemed to be supreme in
educational matters"
Even after the present school law was
adopted, in which the salary act was
amended to the advantage of teachers
In 1908 1910 and 1912, teachers still had
to go TO court. 1t is asserted, for rights
which they now believe they should be
pei mitted 20 enjoy. None of the amend
mcnts changed the fundamental prin-
Ciples OF the law of June 20, 1906.
Among the points fought ought in
court by the teachers were the right OF
teachers here to have the same credit
in longevity records as those who CamC
here from outside the city. 1t was found
that the law was so loosely worded tina
there was question as to whether a
teacher who. before its enactment. had
taught here for many years. was entitled
to the allowance for a teacher in the
service for that period. while a teacher
who came here was clearly entitled to II.
Don't Want Law Disturbed.
was engaged in a high school here re-
ceived S1,S0o on the basis of having had
ten years experience elsewhere. while
in the same high school were many VIII"
could not claim credit for ten years
service in the Washington schools.
Another ANOMALY OF the law which
was straishtened out bv the courts was
in the ruling made bv the District Off
Gals that teachers pay. like that of Gov
ernment employees. should he on per
diem basis of 365 days in the year.
Thus. il a teacher were absent from
school Friday and Monday. she lost four
DAYS pay. that for Saturday and Sun
day. One teacher absent five DAYS in
June when the schools closed about
June Is. lost a half months pay. An
other absent Just before and Just after
the Christmas HOLIDAYS lost nearly Il
months pay. The teachers paid for
fighting this point in the courts.
These are few of the troubles
teachers have had. even under the pres
ent law" said Mr.. Wallis. "and that
i, why they are anxious not to have 1t
disturbed again