The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-03-19
TEACHERS SALARIES
MUST Be INCREASED

The following statistics have
been given us for publication show
ing the ridiculously low pay given
our school teachers and are a con
vincing argument favoring an in
crease if our schools are to have
competent men and women instruc-
tors in Everett:
mo calamity that has threaten
ed the United States in this genera
ton, aside from possible German
success in the great war, has borne
in it so serious promise of disaster
to the national life and to Ameri-
can ideals as the present increas-
ing shortage of qualified teachers
in the school rooms of the land"
In the United States:
% per cent of the teaching body
left the profession last year, or 49,
900 teachers.
$4,000 schools are closed.
$1,000 schools are taught by peo-
pie below the standards set by the
various states.
100000 children are under
teachers who have had no more
than eighth grade education.
In the State of Washington:
OF $500 schools reported upon
within the last five months, 237
are vacant, 263 are filled by teach
ers who have been granted emer-
gency certificates because they
could not meet the legal require
ments.
The enrolment OF Bellingham
Normal School, the largest Normal
school of the state, has fallen from
1 900 to $50 in the last three years.
In the City of Everett:
81 per cent of the teaching
corps has changed since Sept. 1918.
The former sources of supply in the
East are being cut off because of
the fact that in many places salar-
les have been so increased that
there is no longer a sufficient sal
ary inducement to come West.
Even if it We're possible to re-
place those who leave with equally
good teachers there would still be
the problem of adjustment. A
teacher new to the Everett schools
cannot do as good work during the
first year or two as thereafter. The
pupils and the public pay the price
of turnover and adjustment and the
price is high.
IF the nation fails to respond to
the present emergency it is the next
generation it will have to answer" "
In 1910, total State, County and
City School tax, ~ per cent OF to-
tai tax
In 1919. total State. County and
City School tax 81 per cent of total
tax.
Rate of rise in total taxes 1910
1919, so per cent
Rate of rise in Everett School tax
1910-1919, 81 per cent.
In 1910 Everett School Operation
Cost 80 per cent of total tax,
In 1919 Everett School Operation
Cost % per cent of total tax
Increase in direct tax for purposes
since 1910, mills.
Increase in direct tax for other
purposes since 1910. 1S.S mills.
In 1910 total levy 43.S mills.
In 1910 Everett School levy, 12.S
mills.
In 1919 total levy 666 mills.
In 1919 Everett School levy, 16. S
mills
(These figures show that other eX-
penses have increased more rapidly
than school eXpenses.)
Rate of increase of remuneration
in other lines of employment since
1917, 70 per cent.
Rate of increase in teachers sal
aries since 1917. "a to SO per cent
(These figures show that the in
crease in teachers salaries has not
kept pace with the increase in other
lines of ployment)
The average salary paid grade
teachers in Everett is $9S.5O per
month. II teachers are receiving
less than 500 per month.