The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-13
ACUTE SHORTAGE
OF INSTRUCTORS
State Commissioner Hille-
gas Notifies Super
intendents $500
SITUATION DAILY
BECOMING WORSE

Increased Salaries Necessity as Many
Teachers Are Taking Up Other oc-
cupations-Fifty Rural Schools in
State Closed.
A critical situation has developed rel
alive to the supply of teachers for
carrying on the educational work in
Vermont, which according to State
Commissioner Hillegas is becoming
worse daily 1t is situation that can
only be met by paying larger salaries,
as teachers constantly are leaving that
profession to take up other occupations,
because of the inadequate salaries paid
TO educators. The conditions have been
realized by the Brattlehoro school
board for some time, and salaries have
been advanced gradually to meet as
we'll as possible the increasing demands
but increased living expenses have in
creased more rapidly than have sal
aries.
Miss Florence NJ. Wellman, superin-
tcndent of the Brattleboro schools, has
received a copy of letter sent this
week to superintendent by State Com
missioner lIillegas. 1t follows:
Ny dear Superintendent:
Different superintendent have made
inquiry concerning the probable sal
aries of teachers for the coming year.
At present | am unable to make a
definite statement concerning the sal
aries of elementary teachers except to
say that in my Judgment they viii
have TO he very materially increased.
As regards high school teachers, how
ever, the situation is becoming compar-
atively clear. If any superintendent is
forced to employ new instructors in
the high school, lie should be prepared
to pay a minimum of $500. There is
every indication that salaries will be
even higher later in the season.
1t should be understood by school
directors as we'll rs superintendent
that $500 now will get teacher of
about the same qualifications as could
have been secured for 5000 eighteen
months ago. In this connection it
seems important to call attention to the
justice Of increasing very greatly the
salaries of those teachers who for va
rlous reasons choose to remain. ii any
public high school has a reasonably
satisfactory instructor, it would prob
ally take 5000 to employ an equally
efficient new teacher.
II. c. Hutchinson, supervisor OF
Junior high schools, has devoted con,
siderable time to the securing of pos
sible candidates. He has in nearly
every instance interviewed the per
son and can give definite information
This information is at your service
1t needs to be stated very emphati
cally that the situatior regarding
teachers is critical and growing wors,
daily. 1t has been several weeks since
we have had any candidates for ele
mcntary or rural schools who were will
ing to accept anything less than 81;
and the state aid.
/ advise each superintendent t
learn at the earliest possible moment
how many and what teachers he vii
probably require and to inform Thu
office regarding his needs. This applies
alike to high and elementary schools
There are at present, probably 80 ru
raj schools closed on account of lacl
of teachers. mr.
You may feel free to use this lette
in any way that You may. think may b
Of assistance to you. 10
Very sincerely yours.
NJ. b. HILLEGAS,
Commissioner of Education
From the Bureau of Education Bul