The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1920-07-02
Difficulties Between Tele-
phone Subscribers And
Officials Explained
ADDRESS IS GIVEN
BY HENRY c. DEVIN
Chamber Of Commerce Mem
bsrs Hear Two Addresses
Az Luncheon Today

Discussion of the financial problems
of the Mount Vernon public schools
and consideration of the difficulties
now existing between the Mount Ver-
non Telephone company and several
factions of the rural subscribers of the
county, as to the genera conduct Of
the telephone business since last Oc-
tober, occupied the attention of the
Chamber of Commerce today at the
luncheon period.
Mr.. William M Coup, president of
the city board of education, presented
paper covering the school situation.
It received the highest approval of
the membership Of the chamber, in
q rising vote which was moved by
Rev. w. H. Shields.
Mr.. Comp spoke as follows:
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of
the Chamber of Commences:
"As the program of the meeting to.
day is in charge of the educational
committee, have been asked, as
chairman of this committee, to talk
to you on the subject of the financial
q problems of the Mt. Vernon public
schools.
Nov, the problems affecting our
schools ought to be of vital interest
to every citizen. All public schools
have been passing through such a
critical period financially, that it has
aroused, as never before, the atten-
tion of the public. believe, howev-
er, from reports received from many
other Ohio cities, the size Of Mt. Ver-
non and even larger. that we are fl
nancially in better condition than
great many of them, and that II the
citizens will do their duty at the
coming primaries in August, our
schools will be given an opportunity
! to operate under most favorable con
ditions.
For number of years the teach
ers were working under salary
schedule which was in force until
two years ago, at which time it was
discarded by the board, of education
when they realized that it was nc
longer adequate, and was the cause
of their losing good teachers. Their
a 20 per cent increase in salaries was
granted This, however, was not suf
ficient to hold many of our teachers
and some of the good ones were
drawn to other cities. The following
year the board made another straigh
$40 per month increase in salaries
but this also was found to be insult
ficient.
1--WE were fortunate, however, II
being able to start the school yea
last September with corps of goo'
teachers.
"In January, 1920, petitions wer
presented to the board from the higl
school teachers and the grade teach
ers asking for 20 per cent raise
The petitions, of course, setting fort
the reasons for the request. Tn
board gave these petitions very care
the citizens would approve their d.
cision, granted the full 20 per cen
increase, to take effect February
The board now felt reasonably sur
the peak In salaries had been reacl
ed. We thought we had cleared a
the dangerous reefs, and with
smooth sea, good breeze and a
sails set, we would have q fine vo,
age the coming year, but we wer
soon disillusioned. We had just fiji
ished our school year, when to OF
amazement we found we were facin
a wholesale exodous of teacher
from the high school and conside
able number from the grades tn
coming year, thing that would
most undesirable. We were opera
ing with a forco OF good teachers
they had become acquainted with IL
conditions and work required an
were therefore giving. efficient Sc
vice. To have the majority of the
leave would mean securing ne
force of largely unknown abilit
which would mean at least year
two of uncertain results. n
"At this point, the board thougl
the only thing left to be done wou
be to adopt new salary schedul
1t was desirable to have new sche
ule in the first place, and IN the sc
ond place it was hoped it might 81
isfy the demands of the teachers al
we would be able to hold them.
schedule was worked out and adol
= ed The adoption of this schedu
Increased the total payroll appro,
mately 16 per cent.