Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-10
TRA|N|NG OF DRAFTED MEN
Burlington School Department
ia. Assist in Undertaking.
plan Outlined 1t Meeting Of Commits
sioners Last Evening-Public
Schools Of City Cost s1l4,s2O
Last Year.

A trade school. where mon subject to
draft. especially those coming under Glass
One and Glass Two In the QUESTIONABLE,
can be trained in their respective occupa-
lions to the best advantage Of the govern.
ment. which will shortly commander their
services. will be fostered by the school
department Of Burlington in the near
future.
set of resolutions. empowering Super
intcndent Merritt D. Chittenden to act for
the school department in that capacity,
was introduced Friday night at the meet.
ing OF the board Of school commissioners
at the high school building.
1t Is proposed throughout the State
that the education Of drafted men In var
ious lines. including some 81 trades, be
rurthered as much as possible by the
school departments Of each city and town.
The government will stand one-half of
the expense and the other half will be paid
out of the war appropriation of the State.
The school departments, being educational
forces. are fully organized to foster such
scheme, and 1t does rot mean any
financial loss.
Machinist. mill workers, accountants.
JiacKsmiths, leather workers, electricians.
millwrights. stenographers. steamfitters,
shipwrights. chauffeurs. gas engine ex-
perts and hundreds of other trades and
occupations will be taught through the
efforts Of the school department.
The department will ask the assistance
OF merchants, manufacturers. factory
owners, garage mon. ship builders and in
fact all trade and specific occupations. re-
to;e
ment branches. For every man trained the
government and State will nav the fac.
tory owners and trained men required as
teachers. 80 that they will have to bear
no personal expense.
The draft men will not be required to
attend these schools against their will. but
It Will be to their advantage to be able to
help the government to the bert of their
ability. They will not put financial re-
wards by the schooling until accepted by
the government in the draft.
Through ruling Of the educational vo-
cational department Of the government,
the superintendent Of schools in each city
and town has at his disposal the ques-
tionnaires filled out by the registrants
and can pick out just what line Of trade
would be best suited to the signer and will
so classify them. Then each will be no.
titled that school will be conducted Gf
such is possible in the trade they have
followed in the city, and asked to attend.
SCHOOLS COST S114,sN.
In his report for the year ending De-
cember 81. 1917. Superintendent Chittenden
| showed that $114.s2o.50 had been expended
In the school department during the past
| II months. against $1O4. 1856 SO Of 1916. total
ing $10.063.94 more for 1917 than 1916. The
greater part of this increase was due to
| increase In salaries Of teachers. which
amounted to nearly $500. and to consider
| able repairing done at the Converse and
Barnes schools, the Pomeroy school. the
Junior high school and several other
school buildings. 1t was noted in the re-
port that more economy was shown than
| in 1916 and that as a result nearly 81 400
was saved. The balance Of the school
appropriations voted for tho year 1917
amounted to Sl95.4s. The report was ac-
cepted by the commissioners and Superin-
tendent Chittenden was complimented on
the satisfactory condition Of the school
department and on the report itself.
An increase Of e26 per year In the SAL
aries Of the teachers Of the elementary
schools. which would affect about s.
teachers and mean an annual expenditure
OF about $1,7O0. was taken under advise
| ment and Will be settled later. Inc teacn-
ers are now receiving $575 per year.
A petition for an increase Of $3.50 per
week was received from F. A. Houde.
tanitor Of the Adams school, and was
laid on the table for action later. The
| increase would place his salary on par
with the other janitors. He is also
| janitor at the Star Hose building and
receiver $500 per week extra for that.
He also acts as general utility man for
the schools Of the city so far as he is
| able.
Miss Juliet Mccormack. teacher Of the
Nth grade at the Ira Allen school. was
granted a leave Of absence. owing to ILL
! ness. for the remainder Of the school
term. Mrs. Finlayson was appointed as a
| substitute on trial.
CAMPAIGN FOR THRIFT STAMPS.
In response to government urging. a
vigorous campaign in the interest of the
| thrift saving stamps will be waged in
| the schools at the opening on January
IA. The teachers and principals are to
| take an active part In the campaign. give
lectures and explain in detail the stamp
values. The children Of the various
| schools now are paying small amounts
from time to time on Liberty bonds, both
issues. to be kept in trust by the princi-
pals Of their schools. and the interest
from each used to purchase pictures or
other suitable things for the schools.
The commissioners approved bills
| paid.