The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-02-13
ADD TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL
TEACHERS CONSENT TO WORK

Moscow city school will close June
goth. This means that extending of
the time of this school year two weeks
later than it would have been the case
had the school not been interrupted
by the influenza epidemic
The epidemic caused a loss of
almost two months of school time, and
caused a situation which was hard
for the school board to solve. Con-
tracts with the teachers called for
their services to June 9th, and it was
not known by the board whether the
personal affairs of the teachers would
permit their employment later than
that date. Again to make up the full
time lost during the epidemic would
cause an increase in the financial cost
of operation for the year of approx
imately 100000. Not to complete the
full years work, would mean a ser
ious loss to the students and tax
payers of the district. 1t was deemed
essential by the board, therefore, that
arrangements should be made whereby
this loss to the taxpayers, patrons and
students should be saved as far as
possible.
1t was figured out by the board that
the financial income of the district
proximately $4,000 over and above the
usual yearly expenditure.
At regular meeting of the board
on Monday evening it was voted that
committee of the board meet with the
teachers and lay before them the
problem that confronted the board,
and ask their cooperation and assist
ance in solving the same. This COM
mittee met with the faculty on Tues
day evening, and the teachers were
asked whether or not their individual
affairs would permit their staying and
teaching after the usual time of clos
ing the schools. They were advised
that the board had under consideration
the problem of how to complete the
school year for the students with the
finances available; that at the present
time the board could see its way clear
to expend $4,000 which would pay ap-
one-half months main
tenance. however, that further study
of the finances of the distric5 might
make it possible to keep the schools
open full month if necessary. To
keep the schools open a month, would
mean that they would close about July
1st which would not be desirable, ow-
ing to hot weather, and the fact that
a large number of the students were
dependent up by their parents to as
sist them on the farm; approximately
the same amount of schooling could
be obtained by having six-Gay school
week, teaching on Saturdays. and that
if this policy was adopted, that the
schools could close on June 18th, and
it was suggested that inasmuch as
they had received two months pay
being called upon to render
service. and that the patrons and tax
payers had not received value there
fore, that possibly they could see their
way clear to teach this additional time
for the amount of money that the
board could see available.
They were asked to take the matter
under consideration, and advise the
board what in their opinion, was the
best procedure for all parties con-
,erned.
The matter was discussed by Sup
erintendent Rich and the faculty, and
a second meeting was held yesterday
afternoon. 1t was the sense of the
faculty that approximately the years
school work could be completed if they
would teach five Saturdays, and ex-
tend the school year to June 10Th IN
stead of the 18th as suggested by
,he board. 1t was recognized by them
hat the percentage of failures would
be higher than usual, but by
effort on their part and the
students, with cooperation on the part
Of the parents, a fair years work
could be accomplished.
In the discussion it was the sense of
he faculty that they would prefer to
extend the school year a week and
decrease the number of Saturdays to
De taught, feeling that the interest
If the children would be hard to hold
and the six day school week during
he warm weather would be both try
ng to themselves and the pupils.
it was voted that they sug-
yest to the board that this plan be
adopted.
The suggestion of the teachers was
heartily concurred in by the board and
ts thanks extended to the teachers
'or their spirit of cooperation and as
,istance in this matter. 1t was recog
1ized by the board that the teachers
are sacrificing considerable time and
pay for the interest of the school dis
,rict.
Superintendent Rich announced that
school will be held on Saturday next
and continue for the next four weeks.