Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-03-05
WEDNESDAY. MAReH s. 1919
sduo0I, gpFIciHNCY MRNACED


those having an interest Iii the sue
cess of the public schools Of this coun-
til Will view with alarm tire threatened
closing OF the schools because Of the
lack Of funds with which to pay teach
era salaries and will, quite likely, de-
mand that stet Be taken immediately
to relieve such 8 situation.
Bagsinlore'a annexation OF part Of
Anne Arundel county gave rise to the
question 81 the division of the school
funds. Anne Arundel claims, and II
would seem, most, justly, that the ex-
pense og maintenance Of the schools IN
the annexed district was borne By this
county during the first half Of the
year and that therefore. this county
III entitled t0 the funds provided for
the purpose. baltimore contends
Otherwise, and the matter Is dragging
along In the courts while the county
school board ID compelled TO borrow
money and make strenuous efforts ~
tide the schools over the delay.
Whatever may be the outcome Of the
SUIT III the courts whether or not the
$4,000 involved Id the suit Is awarded
ID this county or to Baltimorethere
III one thing which stands out most
clearly, and that IL that there should
ho no time lost IN having the matter
settled and in taking any step IN order
to prevent any further disaffection
among The teachers II the schools
From the tiniest need disaffection
win spring III an organization. and
viii thrive and grow to tremendous
proportions IN an Incredibly short
time. Ii Ii but natural that the
teachers. who have not been paid for
their February services, and who have
no assurance Of when they will receive
their pay for future services, must
feel no little dissatisfaction. Such dis
satisfaction results III disorganiaaEion,
and dia0rganization surely results In
crippled service. The schools Of shis
county are certain TO stffer when this
spirit Of dissatisfaction exists among
the teachers.
Furthermore, as Superintendent
FOX points out, there II the real dam
ger Of loss Of good teachers II. Is not
an easy matter TO secure really first
class teachers at normal salaries and
Ii would be a very difficult matter to
replace some Of the teachers now en-
ployed In the county schools. None
has yet resigned, Of given notice Of
intending to do so. but there IS no
question but that the teachers are dis
satisfied and that this dissatisfaction
IL sure 10 result IN general disor-
sanitation unless steps are taken at
once 10 correct the evil.
The mind Of a teacher in the schools
should DO free Of financial problems
10 that he Or she may give Of his best
efforts 10 the task Of teaching, Teach
ers, unfortunately never too we'll paid
In any community, BY reason OF their
vocation being so far removed from
business practice give less thought to
business Inan almost hMy uAn1E ptu1
fession and should not be buraened
with any such problems Is failure to
receive the salaries promptly which
are rightfuIly due them,
Before there may be serious dis
rnpsson III the county school conduct
the matter Of providlng funds sor pay
ment Of salaries should have imme-
diate attention. And the courts should
most assuredly pass upon the question
which appears 10 be the sole cause of
tie funds which belong TO the schools
Of the county being held up without
my further delay which il not absO-
lutely necessary