New Britain herald., 1919-12-06

The recommendation for q $500 flat increase in New Britain school teach CTS salaries to be effective until Sep tember, 1r92O, at which time new schedule of wages will go into effect, was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the school board last evening. The proposition was introduced : by the salary committee after cOnsderat tio1 of a request made by teachers for flat increase of $400. A proposed schedule giving minimum and maxi mum salaries to be paid under the new wage system in 1920 was read and ac- cepted by the board.
 Means Si9,1 100 Increase.
 It was announced by members of the salary committee that the adoption of the motion to pay $500 increase will mean an added expense for the fiscal year amounting to $49, 9,1O0, while the amount for the whole year will be $1O0,O0O. Discussion brought out the fact that the teachers receive, in ad- ditiOn to their regular pay, a state bonus amounting to $I0, bringing their wages to within $50 of the national asSoCiation'S figures. Chairman E. C.. Goodwin, of the committee, moved the adoption of the report X committee consisting of F. G. Nibherts, G. w. Traut and F.. M. Pratt was named to prepare a. report to be submitted to the board of finance and taxation as the matter will require a special ap- propriation. The special committee was praised for it's excellent, work.
 Members of the school board were urged to attend the school exhibit be- ing. held in the E,lihu .Burritt school. Superintendent of Schools Holmes pro-
 
 The report of the special committee as submitted to the members is:
 Committees Report.
 The committee has secured infor- mation covering the salary situation in the country generally, in the cities of Connecticut and New England, and in New Britain in particular. AS a result we are convinced that a serious emergency confronts the American people in the grave dangers which lie in CD a lack of a sufficient supply of efficient teachers to officer the schools and, in CD consequent lowering of the efficiency of the teachers in serv- ice and reduction in the quality of the work of the schools.
 Tn a recent report 1919) issued | by a special commission of the Ma tional Education association the statement is made. after studying the salary question for two years, that '"Thc real shortage of teachers may i be fairly estimated al ITO. 900 teach i ers-' We are further convinced that 1 this emergency is not only education l al. but social, for tho continuance o1 1 free democratic government and ever ] of civilization itself rests upon the 1 teachers who are now training anC who are to follow us in the shap pine : of the future of America.
 Situation Same Elsewhere. The situation in Connecticut and ir New Britain differs in no essentia respect from that which exists in al other parts of the country, At thu present time there are many school: of Connecticut which are closed fo lack of teachers. There are more which are being taught by teacher ; who are inexperienced, untrained ant unfit Tn our own schools there ha: ! never been a time for two years Whe1 , all the positions in the schools have 1 been filled. At the present. time there are seven vacancies in the New Brit ain schools, and, by February this , number will doubtless be larger still i Between the close of the school year