Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-08-08
MONDAY. AUGUST 5. 1921
SACRIFICING THE SCHOOLS

Several weeks ago it was an
nounced from Queen Anne's
county that the school budget was
cut so heavily by the County
commissioners that it would be
necessary TO close some Of the
schools because of lack of funds.
Last week came an official re-
port from Howard county that
cuts in the budget there. as pre-
scented 10 the County Commits
sioners by School Superintendent
Phillips. will mean that more than
% per cent of the schools OF that
county will be without certified
teachers next year. The total
budget only called for $4,000
which was an increase OF $2l 900
over last year. Superintendent
Phillips announced purpose was
TO bring back teachers who had
already left and TO hold many
more who had been offered bet
ter paying positions in the city
and i'll other counties, but who
had promised to stay i'll Howard
county for comparatively small
increases. The report goes on to
say that the Commissioners,
however, cut $1,000 out OF
the school budget and that the
county teachers Immediately be-
gan seeking other positions.
The State Department OF Edu-
cation shows that a somewhat
similar situation is arising in
other counties, notably Garrett
OF the 10 teachers in that
county, only about 20 have more
than a high school education and
less than 20 have passed exami-
nations for teachers certificates
A small school levy, with result
ant low salaries. is said to be re-
Sponsible for this.
What of Anne Arundel county
in this connection? We have
much to be thankful for. by way
of comparison, but we cannot al
ford to rest on our laurelS. Tn
ceasing vigilance ON behalf of the
schools is necessary. lest we over
look this obligation of our citizen
ship and minimize its Importance
1t is a matter of oongratulation
that this year the school budget
went through practically as sub
mitted, being for $19S.SS9. This
entailed an increase of ten cents
in the tax rate for the schools
but at the same time the County
Commissioners found it possible
TO reduce the general rate eleven
cents. thereby making a net de
crease to the taxpayers OF one
cent on, the years bills.
Another, cause Tor congratufa-
ton. that stands out conspicuous
" in comparison with the other
counties mentioned, is that uur
teaching force is remaining vir-
tuaIly intact and that, more cspe-
cially. its efficiency has steadily
increased. il the large percentage
of those WHIP have passed to the
first grade Is a ctiterioa. The rec
ords show that there are at pres
ent % teachers OF the county
holding first grade certificates i'll
the white elementary schools
whereas five years ago these were
30 in number Then there were s,
second grade and 40 third grade
teachers. whereas this year the
number is 4S and 10. respectively
There are at present in the, county
Isl white and 81 oolored elemen-
tarys school teachers and Is white
and ) colored high school teach
ers. whose salaries range from the
minimum of 5000 for. the begin
ners, holding third grade certii-
Gates. to the maximum. of Sl20G
for those OF the FIRST grade with
s years experience. c OF the very
few who are leaving next year
(less than l2) it is said that none
is doing so because of salary OF
other cause attributable to the