The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-03-04


Total average expense $l243.s:; $llG4.Bl
Several teachers worked together
and estimated what they thought
should be provided under each item.
These results are not included in the
teachers estimates given above and
run about 1924 higher. Supt. Fulton
of Wahpeton says their teachers ex-
penses are averaging about $1,000;
Supt. Skeie of Wyndmere reports
$1130 for the teachers there. Supt
Hanna Of Valley City, who is making
a study Of the question over North
ing up the salaries. The averages
given by the teachers here are there
fore not unreasonable. Taking every
thing into consideration there was lit
tie difference between the average
estimate Of the teachers and the av-
erage made by other persons as the
estimate for clothing by two of the
teachers was SO much above the others
as to increase the average by several
dollars. On the other hand a large
number of outsiders made no proviS-
ions whatever for many Of the items,
while several figured on the teache;
having roommate to cut the rent in
half. This could hardly be asked how
ever, as a teacher is entitled to some
privacy.
The lowest complete estimate given
was for, $786.50 and was made by one
Of the ladies of the town, who figured
on the teacher having roommate
and gave nothing under insurance,
savings or interest on investment in
an education, should draw per cent
interest. The interest on $500 for a
years education beyond the high
school would amount to $40. Add $72
besides if the teacher roomed alone,
would bring the total estimate up to
$S98.5O if it were a grade teacher with
one year Of training and practically
$l2O more if one had four year col
lege course. The same party est;mat
ed that if teacher were efficient sce
should have from $l00-$200 for each
year Of experience. AS all of our
present grade teachers have mad at
least three years experience, this es-
innate would provide salaries OF
$119S.50 Or better for them. One pal
ty estimated the expenses on nine
month basis, stating that most teach
ers stay at home during the summer
or else earn enough to pay their ex-
penses through the summer saason.
1t is a question however whether
school districts should pay only sucn a
salary to it's teachers that the latter
have to hustle around in the summer
to- make both ends meet, or whether
the salary should be such that teach,
er may be able to spend some time in
travel or in summer school work to
better prepare herself for her class
room duties. At present, salaries
range here from 5000 to $945 in the
grades or from SIS to $7S.75 per
month if figured on a twelve month
basis. In the high school the average
is slightly higher. The Superintend-
ent gave it as his opinion in his re-
port that inasmuch as living expenses
had at least doubled since the hegin-
ming of the war, that salaries should
be made at least double what they
were at that time. This would give
a range of from $120 to $140 month
in the grades on a nine month basis
or from 500 to $105 month on a
twelve month basis, no more than sew
eral of the clerks and stenographers
in the offices here are earning. The
Fargo schools have just established a
schedule ranging from $1100 to $500
in grades 1 to 6, $1,000 to $500 in
grades to 9, and $1,000 to $1,000 in
the 10th to 18th grades. While Fargo
pays slightly better than some Of the
smaller places of the state yet the
Fargo schedule is a good illustration
Of the increase that is being made in
teachers salaries throughout the
country y-Enderlin Independent.