Americus times-recorder., 1920-05-14
FOR
TEACHERS RAISE,
SAME TAX RATE
Oppose Increase In Rate,
But Endorses Valua-
ton Increase


the Americas public school, smaller
classes and two sessions daily for the
younger pupils to permit them to be
taught in school instead of at home,
were endorsed today by the Americas
Kiwanis club at it's regular weekly
luncheon, but increased tax rate to
provide for the increase in paw was
disapproved, increased and equalized
assessments of property being rec
commended instead to bring the addi-
tional required revenue. The action
OF the club was taken on the report
OF a special committee appointed at
the previous meeting for investiga-
ton OF the subject, composed of DR..
Wilbur Smith, chairman, and G.. C.
Webb and Hollis Fort. The report
OF the committee was unanimously
adopted.
To Seek Agreement.
1t having been brought to the at
tention of the club that the Rotary
club, similar organization, had al
ready gone on record as favoring an
increase in the city tax rate to pro-
vide additional school funds, the ap-
rolntnfent of committee from that
organization and one from the Cham
Der of Commerce for the purpose of
attempting to reach a unanimous rec
ommendation on the subject to be
submitted for the guidance of the
mayor and city council, was author
lied.
Stephen Pace, a member of the
club, speaking on the resolution de-
clared for an increase and eoualiza-
tlon of property values instead of an
increase in tax rate.
we now have a tax rate of 20
mills, valuation of about $4,000
OOO," said he. "Many cities smaller
than Americus have a much greater
taxable value. The city of Dublin
has valuation of $9,O00,0OO. Thev
needed more revenue and they raised
values. If we would raise our values
$2,OOO,OO this year, and allow the
tax rate to stand, it would give the
schools $4,000 more than they are
asking.
Report of Committee.
The committees report follows:
We. the committee appointed by
the kiwanis Club at the last meeting
to report on the subject of raising
the salaries of the school teachers in
the Americus public schools, beg
leave to make the following report !:
SALARIES
after somewhat limited investi-
cation, we find that the salaries of
teachers in the public schools are ex-
tremely low as an average That the
teaching force is not adequate for
the needs of the pupils; that is to saw,
that there are too many pupils under
the charge of one teacher, there be-
ing an average Of some forty pupils
to each teacher; this, in our opin-
ion. is by far too many pupils for the
care of any one teacher. One of the
problems of today is to discover in
dlvidual talents and peculiarities and
adopt the instruction to the child's
native ability. When you handle
them in large groups you reach only
children uniform in mentality; YOU
are unable to do the best for the ex-
tionally bright or dull children. We
believe that a maximum of twenty
five pupils to each teacher would be
sufficient.
TEACHERS
"We were unable to find Just what
qualifications are required for teach
ers, but we believe that careful ex-
animation of the teachers to be en-
ployed would be the best safeguard
to obtain an efficient force of teach
ers.
SYSTEM.
eve are of the opinion that dur
ing the. first few years of child's
school life, that the best method of
teaching them would be by the inaug-
uration of two session day. There
are many arguments in favor of this.
especially the child's health. That
by the two session day the teacher
would have ample opportunity to
teach the child, as well as to conduct
the recitation of the lessons.
''We further believe that an inves-
tigation into the public school sys-
TENS of Detroit, Michigan, and other
cities, would prove of great value
along this line. During our limited
time we have been unable to furnish
you with the information that we
would like to submit to you.
TAXES.
''While we realize that the teach
ers are poorly paid, yet we are una
Bile to find where the city could set
apart more money for the increase in
pay to the teachers. We do not be-
lieve that an increase in the tax
rate would be wise, but we would sug-
gest that the property be assessed for
its full value when returned for tax
alton, or as near thereto as can be
had. This method would increase the
tax revenue in proportion to the raise
in the returned value of the property.
We think that by raising the value of
the property to just and equitable
basis a lower tax rate could be had,