The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-09
ROSTER TALKS ON
School SITUATION
Gives Views on a Question
That is Much in Public
Light Just Now,
BY JOSEPH ROSTER.

The efficiency Of the public schools
OF our city and OF our state depend
upon the ability and the training OF
the teachers. That efficiency has been
lowered IN the last two or three years
by the withdrawal OF many Of our best
teachers from the work, and by the
failure OF teaching to attract capable
persons TO take the positions which
have been vacated. The Normal school
has found It difficult to enlist gradu-
ates OF the high schools as students in
preparation for teaching The stand.
ard OF the public schools is thus effec.
ed by the loss Of many good teachers,
by the lack OF capable and trained PEG
pie to recruit the teaching ranks, and
by the sinking morale or those who
continue ia the service.
The only cure for this situation is to
be found In increased salaries for
teachers. No argument is needed To-
convince any reasonable person that
the purchasing power of dollar is
now less than one-halt of what 1t was
five years ago. While the salaries OF
teachers have been Increased some.
what during that yeriod, the amount
OF the increase in no sense meets the
decrease in the purchasing power OF
the dollar Even before the present
period of high prices, school teachers
we're generally undeEpaid. With the
great economic changes that have
taken place, the teacher has found
her salary absolutely inadequate to
provide for her ordinary needs.
The campaign for increasing the sal.
aries of our public school teachers Is
not primarily in tho interest OF the
teachers, although they are surely dc.
serving Of better pay, but In behalf of
the boys and girls OF thu community,
who are entitled to the best instruction
mat can be procured. 1t would be q
..shortstghtcd parent who would neg.
ieet the education OF his child, even
though the cost OF that education
should beihigh. The community which
neglects TO provide the best possible
educational opportunities for its chill
ureu, even though such education be
expensive. win be equally short.sight.
ed. Fairmont has always had good
public schools. 1t cannot afford to al
low the efficiency of its schools to be
lowered. "A condition has arisen that
makes 1t imperative to increase the
salaries OF our teachers in substan.
tial manner. All good citizens should
recognize this condition aud show
their willingness to carry tbs addition.
al burdens in the way of taxation that
are required.
In order to render the best possible
service, teachers ought to have what
is called q thrift wage" This means
sufficient money to rent a room and
buy three meals a day for twelve
months In the year; to buy sufficient
elothiue for health and comfort, and
lor the preservation of self.respect: to
contribute, in a moderate way, to tho
support of the social and institutional
organization of the community; to
have a few magazines and books: to
travel lHtle occasionally; and to pro.
vide some life Insurance and other
means Of protection against tho IN.
erltable rainy day. Men and women
do not enter upon the work of teach.
ing for the purpose OF making money.
They have no misconceptions in re.
gard to that matter. They do have q
right, however. to expect from the
community whose children they serve,
such compensation as will enable them
TO command the comforts that are en-.
1oyed by people in the ordinary yoca.
tons OF the community.
The movement for increasing the
salaries OF the teachers in the public
schools of Fairmont should have the
united support Of all citizens who have
me weltare OF the community at heart.
49, .I.4