The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1919-05-29
BENTON, La. THURSDAY. MAY %. 1919.
THE SALARIES PAID TEACHERS

THE SALARIES PAID TEACHERS.
There is published elsewhere in this
issue Of the Banner an article on this
subject. clipped from The Literary Di-
gcst. copies of which have come to us
from two different local sources. We
are pleased to crafty the wishes Of
our friends in giving it publicity.
The article referred to is convincing
From reading it one would gain the
impression that we should hasten for
ward to advance the salaries of the
teaching fraternity. In its seventh
paragraph il comparison of salaries
paid teachers and wages earned by
Street-sweepers, scrub-wOmen and some
few others is made. To make all this
true isolated cases must be picked out,
and the hot-hed of organized labor =
the North and East - furnish the field
for that.
The article in question deals with
the subject from nationwide view
point Here in BoSSier Parish high
school principals are to- receive $40,
SI'o anu I'll - l'cl hot an
average of $50 per month. There are
twenty working days in the teacher
month, so it is to he seen that high
school principals of the parish will re-
ceive on an average $50 per day.
That's less per hour than Shreveport
brick-layers and Monroe plumbers are
paid, but they are really over-paid,
and. as Il rule, haven't steady employ
ment at their fabulous scales. The
high school principal has steady EN-.
ployment. with one day each week fol
recreation and. of course. one day fol
rest. After he has taught nine months
he gets his $3.50. and may spend the
summer prolitably by engaging in sucl
calling as he sees tit.
High school teachers in the parish
are to he paid $50 to 500; grade teach
ers So to $50. and the teachers OF
what we refer to as country schools,
$40 to $50 - and we note from the las
published proceedings of the Schoo
Board that reference is made to lex
perience and ability
In the ninth paragraph Of the article
one sentence says: No wonder TIL
ranks are being filed with weak mel
and with immature women who merel,
use the profession as Il Stepping-stoll
to something better" That condition
does exist here in Louisiana, and ha
existed for many years. Now, til
query is. did the under-aged, inexpe
rienced teacher hring the low scale. o
did the low scale come first and driv
the better teachers out of the prOfes
SIGN. We don't know; but we do know
that some of the most successful teach
ers who have held positions in thi
parish have not been such by profes
sion, hut merely taught for the tim
that they might make their way in til
world and accumulate such fund Il
would enable them to engage in Othe
callings. There was no intention o
their part to remain IN the profession
1t is not the intent of the writer t
pick to pieces the article that has bee
sent in and published. We are of opil
ION that locally the professional, wei
qualified, skillful and tactful teacher
fairly we'll paid. He gets more tina
many who work more days per wee
and more hours per day ut Otht
callings.
Aside from giving expression to IL
foregoing as Il conviction. it is said
part hy way of championing our Pa
ish School Board. an organization "
find to he hroad-guaged and liberal
view. The parish is sparsely settled l
yet. and that makes more scattert
schools necessary. with small enrol
ments and poor attendance at certai
seasons of the year, on account of Il
condition of the roads. crops to
worked. and SO on. The Parish Soho
Board. we believe. is doing the best
can for the schools and paying the
teachers all they can well afford.
Ii better salaries will bring bett,
teachers for the country schools. al
better teachers will result in bett
schools with fuller attendance, and a
that will tend toward better roads al
greater influx of good home-seeke
all for the immediate future - thu
we are for the advance in their sal
ries. if the money can be found vii
which to do this. And so will he Il
people at large and they foot Il
bills and should have Il voice in tt
matter.
The columns of the Banner are OBJ,
to all white residents of the parish f
free discussion on the subject.