Connecticut western news., 1920-04-15
SCHOOL COMMITTEES
 HOLD MEETING HERE
Six Towns Represented at Most Interesting Meeting

members of the town school com mittees in the adjoining towns, was held at the Canaan High school building, Thursday, April 8. The speakers were all connected with the state board of education and presented some startling facts and figures regarding the school situa- tion as it exists today in Connectl- cue. MT. N. s. Light, assistant sec retary of the state board presided at the sessions.
 The towns represented were Ca naan, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Kent and Cornwall. The following program was given:
 10:30 a. m.
 The teacher situation. .J. l.. Meader The financial situation. w. s. Dakin The local situation \I
 W. M. Teague, H. M. Jeffords
 200 p. m.
 The plans of the teachers
 association. IL. T. Garrison A health program. .. E. w. Ireland Transportation General Discussion
 J. L. Meader emphasized three points necessary to maintain active, progressive and we'll taught schools; there should be a competent, we'll trained teacher; every school should have sufficient supplies and be we'll equipped; the work should be effi- ciently supervised.
 Statistics were presented to show the general teaching situation. There are 7,4OO teachers in Conn, of which "A per cent, are trained, while 26 per cent are not trained. There has, however, been a decrease during the past year, in the attend ance at the Normal schools from 900 to 465. Every year there are 800 to 1000 new teachers ne$eded in the state, but there are only 182 available from the Normal schools and 200 from the colleges. The state will be approximately ., 400 teachers short. The state has en- deavored to be of assistance in in creasing the supply of teachers. There is an>appropriation of $2O,000 forsthe use of Normal Schools and each town is entitled to one scholar ship of $150, but only $8000 of this appropriation has as yet been used.
 The salaries since 1914 in the ru- ral schools have increased from $457 to $761 making an increase of 69 per cent; the cost of living how ever has increased considerable more than this; therefore, it is necessary for the town to meet this difference. Since September 1, 1919, there has been an increase of salary as follows: 16 towns from $50 to $1O0; 22 towns from $1O0 to S2OO; 16 towns from $400 to $500; 5 towns from $500 to $400; and 3, $500. Three things are necessary to hold not only the present teachers but to induce others to enter the profession; the need of publicity {; improved living conditions; an ade- quate salary.
 The second topic was discussed by W. S. Dakin. He gave statis- tical comparison of the different towns with reference to their ex- penditures. During the past five years hte wage increase for the several towns represented are as fol- lows: North Canaan, 26 per cent; Salisbury, 27 per cent; Cornwall IA per cent; Kent 30 per cent; Sharon 28 per cent; Canaan Il per cent. Several ways were pointed out for raising additional funds, such as from taxable property, invested funds, gifts from individuals, bond issues in case of additions to school property.
 The local situation was presented by w. M. Teague and H. M. Jeffords. Points considered were; the approxi mate cost of the school to the towns and teachers wages at the present time, the maximum and minimum wages paid, comparisons of wages paid by small towns with those of the larger places, and the general attitude of teachers in regard to re- maining in their present positions.
 L. T. Garisson presented the plans of the state teachers association. The main points given were greater publicity fo rthe purpose of creating larger supply of teachers; better salaries; tenure of office and modi- fications of the retirement system. There will be a committee on public ity which will keep the public in- formed as to salaries aud salary schedules not only in this state but in others. Speakers will be sent out to discuss school questions; experts vii lbe chosen to formulate future school legislation, and also to study the question of taxation that funds may be available for increased cost of school expenditure.
 Means forchecking ailments are: first, protection of good health in the school; second, diagnosis of ail- ments; third, correction and ailments The state requires the attendance of children from 7 to 16, therefore the state should see that their health is