Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-08

Surprising such payments amount
ed to 100000, as at present, we
find that under the proposed
amendment the legislature may
provide for the levying Of $780,
600; whereas for the year in
1920 only $4,S00,000 was levied
for schools. In addition to this
there is nothing in the constitu-
ton that will prevent the legisla-
ture from providing new sources
of revenue for the schools. 1t
would be possible to develop this
argument but the general point
that l am attempting to bring out
is that the limitations of the
amendment will not prevent the
legislature from providing ade-
quately and literally for the
schools, including adequate salar-
les for teachers in accordance
with their ability, training and ex-
perience.
am enclosing a copy of let
ter which I have written to Mr..
Milne and which no doubt he will
consent to your publishing in con-
nection with the foregoing.
Very truly yours,
Rupert f. Asplund, Director.
July 5, 1921.
Superintendent, John Milne, Albu-
querque. N. M.
My Dear Mr.. Milne:-May I
write with reference to your inter-
view in the Morning Journal of
July 8, 1921, giving my authority
for the information furnished as to
teachers salaries In other states?
The statements given are based
upon letters from state depart
ments on file in my office. AS to
the article by Mr.. p. p. Claxton.
entitled what We Pay Teachers
in Our Public Schools" may 1
suggest that you publish the tab
ulation to which you refer? 1t is
possible that have copy Of the
same statement. If, however, you
will publish the statement we can
easily verify its correctness by
reference to the educational direc-
tory issued by our own state de-
partment of education.
We made q tabulation of the sal
aries the teachers of the state are
receiving according to the educa-
tional directory of 1920-21. would
prefer that the information which
we have should be verified by the
state department of education, or
some one named by the DEPART
ment. In the consideration of the
proposed constitutional amend
ment, our association desires only
to present facts without prejudice.
We believe the voters of New Mex
leo are entitled to full information.
That it is not the purpose of this
association in advocating the rati-
fication of the amendment to Grip
Pile the schools is. believe, clearly
shown by the rscy that II the
amendment is ratified the legisla-
ture will be able to provide ade-
quately for the needs of the
schools, as pointed out in my let
ter to Mr.. Magee. copy OF which
you will find here enclosed.
am quite sure shat you will
believe that l personally would not
consent to the Gripping Of the
school system of New Mexico, in
the building of which / have had
some small share.
AS | stated before the informa-
ton which | have secured as to
teachers salaries in other states
came directly from the depart
ments of education of those states.
1t might be found advisable to
publish these letters from time to
time. Here. however, is one from
| the department of public instruc'
| ton of North Dakota:
February 10. 1921.
! Dear Mr.. Asplund:
In reply to your favor OF
the 9Th inst. we beg leave to
say that teachers In our rura
schools, nearly all Of whom are
high school graduates, receive from
$50 to 500 per month, the aver
age we believe is about 1913.
The present supply of teachers
in this state is about equal to the
demand. No real shortage exist
here at present.
| A reasonable law fixing thu
minimum salaries of teacher
should be productive Of good. Il
drafting such a law, great car
should be taken to protect not onl
the rights of the teacher, but ais
the rights of the taxpayers and tn
children who will be in the schools
The qualifications of the teache
should be made just as high a
conditions will warrant
Teachers in the grades of GU
town, city and consolidated school
are practically all normal schoo
graduates and receive salarie
ranging from 1920 to $160 pc
month. In high schools our teach
ers are practically all college grad
yates, and receive salaries from
$125 to $500 per month.
Superintendents and supervising
principals receive from $176 t
$500 per month. /,
Salaries in our state are fairl
good considering the qualification
of teachers and the tax payin
ability of our people.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) MINNIE ]. NELSON,
State Superintendent of Public In
struction. :.
Under separate cover am mail
ing you a copy Of the Tax Review
!, in which the substance OF some {
the letters is given.
Very truly yours.
y