Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-01
Bath Board Explains
Change in School System

Bath, May 31-The long expected
statement of the Bath board of edu
cation, explaining why it had tc
change the school system. was made
public today. 1t is signed by Johr
]. keegan, chairmna of tie board
Leland B. Mitchell. William A. Fur.
Der, John f.. Burkhardt. and Mayor
Joseph Torrey., The statement il
part says:
THE school system at the present
time is operated on an annual basis
of approximately $1,000, of which
$4,000, or 10 per cent. is for salar.
les of the teaching staff"
Then follows a table showing the
salaries as at present, compared
with those paid elsewhere in Maine
and the report continues:
1.-The first appropriation requested
by the board was for $1O2,169. This
figure was arrived at on the follow
ing basis:
1. Maintenance of present salar-
les, but no increases, was the reason
that experience shows that we can
not hire efficient teachers at salaries
below the scale set by other com
munities in the State.
> Elimination of five teachers in
elementary grades due to reduction
in the number of pupils enrolled.
3. Elimination of one teacher ir
| physical training. and one in pen
manship and drawing. Although
special instruction in these subjects
| is usual in the State. we felt that ii
might be dispensed within the inter
| ests of economy at this time.
f. Absolutely bare maintenance
, allowances for repairs and materia Is
| and no renewals of any kind is also
pointed out.
5. Reduction of janitors salaries
! commensurate with the work paid in
| the city for similar work.
with the above request We went
before the city finance committee. and
| after the details were discussed we
were asked to reconsider our request
to sec if further reduction could not be
made.
The second appropriation requested
was for 500. 100. arrived at by making
further minor reductions in the first
budget. We appeared again before the
finance committee with this figure. and
explained that if the emergency called
for further substantial reduction, il
will be necessary in some way to reor-
ganize our system in order to reduce
the number of teachers employed.
I'VE were awarded an appropria-
ton of $92.440, out of witch $4,000 is
already spent or contracted for up to
the end of June. leaving $4,000 for
the half school year from September,
1922, TO Jan. 81. 1923. This means that
this fall we shall nave to open the
schools on an operation basis of $7i,-
600 per annunl, which is a reduction of
SO per cent. on the annual operating
basis existing at this present moment.
TO get down to this basis there are
two general methods open to us in adj
ditien to the omission of all special
subjects. such as music, physical
training. etc.
"A A fiat reduction Of teachers
salaries. Is. A reduction Of the num-
Der of teachers"
Eliminating "A" the board says:
'SVe were left with 'B''. the reduce
ton of the number of teachers and
proceeded to the election on this
basis. On account of the various
physical factors involved we will be
forced to q combination of large
classes and part time, Appropriated
as follows: Grades l and ,, all part
time; Grades 3 and a, part time in
some cases, especially at the north
and south parts of the city; Grades
5, and s, all full time.
I'm conclusion we would like to
correct any possible misunderstand-
ing concerning our relations with the
finance committee. We have accept
ed their decision without demur, real
izing the extremely difficult problem
which they have had to face and have
devoted our energies to the problem
of meeting the appropriation with as
little sacrifice as possible to the effi-
cheney of the school system
The matter of the Morse High
school, whether it shall be on part
time or full time, has been left with
Principal Clinton d. Wilson.
Couple in France Want