Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-25
GRAFFLETTER is
GIVEN TO PUBLIC
League of Women Voters Get
Answers to Questions.

The education committee of the League
of Women Voters made public q letter
received from E. U. Graft, superintendent
of schools, written in response to queries
submitted by the league regarding the
policies of the school administration.
Ten questions were submitted by the
committee.
The first was, "How does indianapolis
rank as to salaries paid with other cities
of the first class, or cities maintaining
nearly the same tax values?"
In reply the superintendent sent a
study of salaries for Cleveland, Detroit,
Pittsburg, Los Angeles, Buffalo, San
Francisco. Milwaukee, Newark, Cincinnati,
Minneapolis, Seattle Jersey City, Kansas
City. Portland, Denver, Rochester, Provi-
dence, st. Paul, Columbus, Toledo, Wor-
cester, Syracuse, Spokane and New Ha-
ven.
1t shows Indianapolis slightly above
the average.
The next three questions regarded
qualifications and grading.
The superintendent was asked If there
are fixed standard regarding salaries,
based on qualifications, such as person
aility, training, experience, teaching
ability, number of classes, other school
activities. etc.
That answer quoted the ruling of the
board to the effect that the superintend-
ent shall have full power to evaluate
the teaching experience, professional,
personal and other qualifications of each
teacher
The question as to the method used
in grading teaching ability was answered
thus Teachers are judged by the re-
suits accomplished with pupils and on
the rating by supervising principals and
special directors
The fifth question was whether teach
ers are continued in employment as long
as they maintain the required standards
In reply the superintendent calls at
tention to the fact that the state law
forbids employment for more than one
year at a time.
He says that because it is of advan-
tage to the schools to have a large num-
Der of the teachers serve for longer
nuaIly are re-employed.
The next question was, IF they are
not continued, is it your practice to
provide them with written statements as
to causes Of failure to reappoint?"
The superintendent replied: In the
event that they are not reappointed, they
are usually notified by a personal in
terview."
"Is length of service rewarded with
promotions and adequate Advancement in
salary?" was the next question.
The committee again was referred to
the printed schedule in which occurs the
rule giving the superintendent blanket au-
thority to rate teachers, and to deter
mine the capacity and right of each teach
er to progress upward through the vari-
Gus gradatiOns under the schedule"
The eighth question asks about the en-
coura cement given to teachers to teach
in Indianapolis.
tt is answered with these two state
ments: First, opportunity for service;
second. the conditions of the salary sched-
ule shown above"
In answer to a question as to what is
being done to make the teaching condi-
tons in the city more attractive, The
Superintendent lists the new salaries,
the better buildings which are planned,
the opportunity for professional IMPROVE
ment. college scholarships and good
working conditions.
The last question asks: Are the teach
ers accorded the right of petition and
assembly, to discuss matters pertaining
to their interests and regarding school
policies?"
The answer Is yes