Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-23

reach every child in Maine for edu-
cational purposes. \. w. Gordon is
superintendent, with local agents lin
places where schools now exist He
has 953 pupils by the census and SOB
enrolled. Some places with on school
organization will he supplied and tile
law should he amended so that no
child is left without an education.
Thirty thousand is asked for teach
erS pensions. 1t began in 1912 with
$4,000 and last year reached $4,000.
Many teachers are applying, vita
236 now on the roll. Changes in the
law are asked by many, such as re-
moving the age limit of GO years, not
limiting the number Of years taught
in Maine schools and including teach
ing in private schools. We are con-
sidering all these suggestions.
Governor Milliken-Regardless Of
what may be appropriated we are
held by the law for a certain amount?
DR.. ThomaS-Precisely.
Senator Walker-Does it look like
increased number?
Dr. Thomas-Yes, most all of them
are applying.
For summer schools $4,000 is asked.
For training Of rural teachers,
$4,000 is asked for 1919 ana 100000 in
1920 1t is a new idea and if carried
through will be something no other
state in the Union has and can be Of
inestimable value.
The schools of your fathers, large
and with men teachers, are disap-
pearing and we are abandoning many,
because not enough children to have
a school. We need to build up the
rural education in order to make the
State self-supporting. where she now
produces only "a per cent of her
needs. To do this teachers must he
trained and sent into these rural
communities who can not only teach
but help in the social and community
life and affairs. aiding the entire peo-
| pie. We must have teachers who
know something beside books.
We plan to select we'll qualified
young teachers. from the places to
which they will return, and take
to be located somewhere in central
AIdlHt, w mere tlltv VIII Dt given
courses of instruction to fit them for
their new duties. They will be
trained in teaching. in social life
| work, will aid and criticize othef
teachers. aid the children with their
entertainments, etc, and in fact be
social leaders in their community.
They will agree to go back to their
schools for year. Next year we
| train another hundred and if adj
visablc will continue the idea.
1t will dignity rural education and
establish corps of expert rural
| teachers.
! Rep. Holley-Will you add 100 each
year?
DR.. Thomas-Yes. until the system
| is established. They will receive
| tbout % per cent increase in salary.
Sen. Walker-Would the education
al committee select the 100 young Wo-
| men?
DIR. Thomas-Well, they might, GER
| tainly.
Sen Ricker-Would they do any,
| thing beside teach?
DIR. Thomas-Yes, they would be
| trained to preside at meetings; keep
| minutes; have charge of Girl Scouts.
| Camp Fire Girls, etc: help the Moth
| ers' Club; have charge of social activ-
tiles: set up and operate the very valu-
! able educational moving picture films.
| taught to prepare luncheons, etc. pro-
grains and many other things.
Councillor Norton-Well, she will be a
| busy girl.
T.. Thomas paid high compliment
to Deputy Glenn V. Starkey, whose
ability was great ana who had been
offered good inducements to go else
where. His duties have increased and
he is ever on the job. SO that $500 fo.
the remainder OF 1919 and 5000 for 1927
would be only fair. He now receives
i! 5000. For clerk hire he asked a total
Of $500, an increase of less than 10 per
cent.
DIR. Thomas took up the matter OF
free high schools. The appropriations
asked for 1919 and 1920 are as follows
100000 for 1919 and sl65. 0OO for 1890
which is an increase over the appro-
lriations for the past two years. The
distribution to high schools is based
upon two-thrds cost of instruction 20
a maximum of $500 to a school. The
cost of the high schools in 1919 was as
follows:
Instruction. :57s.To fuel and janitor,
s1l6,136; conveyance. s11.572;; books and