Mountain advocate., 1922-01-13
TO THE TEACHERS OF
KNOX COUNTY

Knox County has experienced no
greater tragedy in our memory than
the defeat of the two proposed
amendments to the Constitution de-
signed solely in the interest of bet
ter education in the county. These
amendments were supported enthu-
siasticly by the intellectual elite and
by all the honest thinking people OF
the county who took pains enough
to inquire into their real meaning
for the children of Knox County.
There is no doubt that had these
amendments carried in the State of
Kentucky the much underpaid teach
ers of Knox County would have re-
ceived at least 100000 more as
salary this year on the February in
stallment. The reason these amend
ments were defeated, especially in
Knox County was because certain in
dividuals, for the want of proper in
formation, or because they simply
wanted to misrepresent facts, went
over the county telling the voters
that if they voted for the amend
ment No. 2 they would have to go
down in their pockets and pay the
nine or ten thousand dollars that
the teachers would receive in the
way of taxes. 1t is also being said
by some people who breathe the pure
mountain air of the grand old
County of Knox, that the reason the
teachers salary is so small in Knox
County this year is because their
money is being paid to the County
Superintendent and other admins
trative school oficers. Any teacher
or any citizen with thimbleful of
horse sense knows that is mistake.
The reason the salary of the
teacher is small this year or small
or than last year, is because the
salary schedule for 1920 was so ar
ranged that the teachers were paid
on attendance and consequently took
all the county funds available to pay
salaries last year and the County
Board Of this county had to borrow
100000 to finish paying salaries
the year 1920. The County Super
fntendent has no funds with which
to pay teachers except what he re-
ceives from the State, which for the
year 1921 is $6,OsS.9O per month
for six months.
This is $36,563.4o State funds
plus $50 of county funds which is
about 100000 making $40,56S.4O.
The amount Of funds both State and
county for teachers for the year OF
1921. We have 95 rural schools in
the county. Six of those schools have
two teachers. making 1O1 teachers
on the payroll in Knox County. Some
of you wise birds who like to criti-
cize so well multiply 101 by 6, the
number OF months each teacher
teaches, and divide the amount OF
State and county funds by COS, the
number OF months, and get what
each teacher will receive per month
Then take three grades Of certificates
and prorate the teachers salary hc'
cording to the salary schedule foI
the year 1921 and be convinced ol
facts. Don't be ready to listen Il
some meddlesome individuals who
try to build up themselvels on tho
demerits OF some one else: or tC
some would be Office seeker tha
knows the only way he will evei
hold Office in Knox County will b'
by some chicanery or trick and no
by vote Of the people.
| invite your attention to wha
has been done in this county for th'
four years just passed under my ad
ministration as County Superintend
0nt compared with any previous fou
years. Yes, any twenty, the war ant
high cost of living not considered
To my friends l desire to say
have been appointed County Super
intendent for four years, beginning
January ist, 1922.
am ready and willing to assis
In any course that will better tn
conditions in Knox County educa
tionally. / don't belong to any ma
or set of men, don't boost any schoO
or church, but will select the bes
qualified teachers available for tn