The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1920-02-19
AN OPEN SEASON IN TEACH
ER'S CONTRACTS.

From time immemorial. teachers
complaints at low wages have receiv-
ed the reply that the law Of supply
and demand must govern the rate of
Z their compensation. During the last
two years, the law Of supply and de-
mand has begun to operate in favor
Of the teacher, for almost the first
time within the memory Of man. Nat
urally. therefore, teachers who have
commenced to view their profession
more hopefully, deeply resent at
tempts to manipulate matters so that
the law Of supply and demand shall
not result to the advantage Of the
teacher Efforts to hold teachers By
unfair means, are, to say the least,
short-sighted. A teacher who is dis
satisfied and unhappy cannot be
good teacher for our Texas children.
The best basis Of good work Is the
assurance Of justice and fair dea-
ing.
AS rule. teachers do not know.
until after the close of the session,
what positions for the next year viii
be open. The teachers opportunity
20 secure better place is usually Of
very brief duration Some school
boards. before the close Of the session
require teachers to accept or decline
place for the next session. This
forces many who DO not know what
chances may be theirs. 20 take again
an unsatisfactory position. this GUS
tom sometimes resulting in a sort
Of peonage Of teachers. The teacher
has nothing 10 sell but her services.
In justice 70 her, there ought to be
some time when she can offer these
in an open market. II the teacher en-
deavors. without success. to secure
better position, she IS more like
IL 70 become satisfied with her for
mer place If she succeeds. her form
er place could not justly hold her If
her services are worth more else
where. II the school board allows it.
self two months to secure teachers.
it might fairly accord to the teacher
one month of indecislon. # she de-
sircs this.
Accordingly, suggest that. as a
measure towards greater justice TO
teachers. school boards grant to all
teachers who may wish il. the month
of June. in which to decide whether
to renew their former contracts. In
my opinion. this plan Of an open SEES
sion for the teachers contract. would
in the end. save time for the school
board and the superintendent.
| have had, this year. many APP
peals TO cancel teachers certificates.
as penalty of breach of contract.
To most of these cases, there was
more than one side. The contract pro-
tects the teacher. Most teachers would
not have the contract-plan abolished.
For its resulting injustices, there is
only one remedy kind and sympa-
thetic school board ! think that
teacher should hold her plighted word
above the most tempting offer of
better place. unless she is released
by the school board. Teachers who
have taught only a few months in
a position should not ask for n re-
lease But those who have. for sew
eral years. given faithful service, are
entitled to consideration when op-
portunity knocks at the door. Without
ambition, progress in work in any
line, will not be rapid. The teacher
should be shown that the way is open
to ambition and that true worth will
receive recognition.
While the law binds the teacher.
under certain conditions. il does not
equally bind the board. II board
should contract with a teacher TO
teach a. certain length Of term. the
teacher cannot hold them 70 the con-
tract. Il the FUNDS should be lnsuf-
hclent TO support the school for this
length Of time. The teacher finds her
self without employment, with no re-
course for the broken contract Some
school boards have the erroneous Inn
precision that the law requires them
to hold teacher 10 her contract.
whatever the conditions. The law al.
lows them 10 release her, ID i for
the boards - determine, whether ius,
tlee 10 teacher and school permits the
release. Il Il probable that Ne shall
always have wllh us he irresponsible
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