East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-02-24
Directors and Clerks From
Nearly 100 School Districts
in Meeting Favor IL Months
Basis and no Competition.
RECOMMEND SALARY RISE
FOR EFFICIENCY INCREASE
Go on Record for $4,000 Super
intendent's Pay and MilIage
Bill for States Higher Edu-
CatiOnaI Institutions.

Twelve hundred dollars as the. mi
nimum annual salary for any grad,
teacher employed in Umatilla county
was yesterday endorsed by the direc-
tors and clerks from nearly 90 school
districts. in meeting at the court
house. They favored placing teachers
on the 12 months basis and agreed
not to compete with other districts for
the services of teachers.
Not only should 5000 be the mini
mum but there should be "A suitable
increase each year for the teacher who
remains with his or her district the
directors declared in resolutions drawn
up and adopted. The amount of this
annual increase is left TO the discre-
tion of individual boards In order
for teachers to qualify for such in
creases. however, the resolutions re-
quired that at the end of the first
school year the teacher attend an ac-
credited summer school for six weeks.
at the end of the second year teach
six weeks summer school in the dist
rict or else again attend summer
school and at the end OF the third
year be allowed the entire vacation
period on pay.
Adopt Ethical Code.
The directors agreed that contracts
should be offered teachers not later |
thar March Is each year. Sixty days |
are to be given teachers in which to |
accept, After that time has elapsed, !
no district in Umatilla county il to J
offer "A contract to n teacher in any /
other district. 1t was agreed. Compe-
tition for services of teachers ia other |
districts should be discouraged. the /
directors declared. and they pledged |
their aid in that direction.
With the nav 1
recommended by the large majority
of county school directors. Superin-
tendent w. w. Green today expressed
the belief that this county has taken
the lead in the state towards getting
more efficient teachers and holding
them. lie declared that under con
ditions as recommended. Umatilla
county could quickly fill every positi-
on with the best teachers in the state.
Suggest $4,000 Salary.
In addition to going on record for
better pay for teachers, the directors.
in their resolutions, recommended
$4,000 annually for the county school
superintendent This figure is com
mensurate with the duties and respon-
sibilities of the office they reported. /
The present pay is $500 n year.
The United States is short $4,000
teachers. while 10000 more who are 5
holding positions are below standard" Z
+. +. Austin, city superintendent, told l
the gathering. The reason for this (
shortage is the salary question Peo- l
pie with the character and the brains
needed for efficiency in our schools l
cannot afford to teach at present sal
aries" IN
Austin's Plan Adopted. 8
1t was Mr.. Austin's plan of a L. 7
basis which was recommend O
ed by the resolutions committee. He
said teachers should be paid on the n
first of each calendar month, required 7
to attend the summer schools and in 7
other ways work to increase their ef- :
ficiency as compensation for d better y
scale of pay You must pay decent Il
salaries to attract the right persons
to the profession" he declared.
c. T.. Wales, who. as youth, took
up teaching as a profession because
he believed it the noblest work to 1
which one could dedidate himself, ]
told how, is years later. he was fore
ed to give up the career, because he
saw the poorhouse ahead IL he did not.
He started at $23 month in Missouri,
hoping some day to see salaries placed
Continued on page o.)