The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1920-01-07
RECOMMENDATIONS

The education of thousands of children through
of schools and teachers of the county, is the big
gest and most important business of the county, and the
business has been growing bigger and more important
every year While the srictest economy has been prac
tced and expenditures held down to the mninlum yet
the public school system has felt the effect of the High
Cost of Everything," Fifteen years ago the present
school income would have given you eight months term
with competent teachers at living wage. Then the
average salary $500. Today is $751; 60 and still
This year there employed 125 elementary teachers,
which at the average salary of go makes monthly
pay roll of S6450, not including fuel supplies repairs
and other expenditures This term began with $2761058
in the treasury This explains why have but five
Increased attendance increased teaching force increased
expenditures, demand increased income if the public
school system is to be perpetuated
Profoundly convinced that efficient system of
public education the hope of nation and that every
child has the inherent right to have developed to the
fullest every faculty with which God has endowed him.
and that it the highest interest of the state to place
within reach of every child this chance is evidenced
by the experience of all civilized lands of the past and the
present good government and the happiness of mankind
depending this full development of the human facul
ties shall cOnfne my recommendations at this time to
the most pressing needs of public schools to the
strategic points in the success and future progress of the
public school system and therefore to the most import
ant subjects for the conservavey progressive thought
and action of this honorable body.
The time has in this state when the people in
the rural districts have right demand and expect that
their children have equal educational advantages with
the children in the city, that they have at least eight
months term with better teachers and better teaching.
With ordinary day laborers receiving 300 to $500
per day. SIS to $125, month increased efficiency
month. The work of teacher must be elevated to the
plane of profession and must be given the protection,
financial, guaranteed to other professions and to
callngs that not professions, before there be
much inducemen to and of ability to adopt
it as life work and equip themselves professionally for
it.
Shall we citizens and officials of Bount county
meet fully the educational needs of the rising generation
shall in the days to be compelled to look into
the dull blank face the retarded soul of Blount county
man woman, a face thru which the light God knded
at birth in the human SOUL cannot shine because all dim
med by the human blight of ignorance and in reply to
the question How happens that in this land of bound
less opportunity and Christian civilization you have
up without at least good elementary educaton?
receive the reply, Il haint never had no chance"
Needing the cry and pressing need of Blount
Countys 9779 children for better teaching service and
longer terms of school, recommend that this honorable
body in their wisdom find way make way to meet
this need.