Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-02-15

SOUTH AMBOY, Feb. 15:-The
question OF teachers salaries In the
public schools was brought to the
fore last night at a special meeting
Of the Board Of Education, when
Francis P. Coan, president OF that
body, read his message, part OF
which dealt with the opinion of the
state commissioners of education on
the matter of salaries to offset any
controversy that might arise be-
tween the teachers and the Board OF
Education.
It will be remembered that at a
meeting several weeks ago Richard
U. Rue, a member of the education
board, made a motion that the yearly
increase, which amounts to approx
mately SIS to the teachers, be dis
pensed with this year. His reason
for the motion, as he has since stat
ed, was to have established q maxi
mum in the salary schedule. Mr..
Rue seemed unwilling to allow fur-
ther increase until a maximum has
been established. He pointed out at
last nights meeting that teachers In
The high school were receiving as
high as $2,O50 and that IL the yearly
increase was continued the maxi
mum would be exceptionally large.
Mr.. Rue scoffed at any attempt for
an appeal to the commissioners OF
education, saying that he was hrm in
his belief that he was right, although
Mr.. Coan pointed out that 1t would
serve to put the board right on the
matter once and for all.
1--WE cannot expect efficient teach
ers where there is a dissatisfied
teaching force" said MI. Coan. Mr..
Rue retorted that they could expect
Just as much efficiency as they have
been getting" Mrs. Chase stated she
felt as did Mr.. Rue, adding that it
would be wise to walt In case IN
appeal on the part Of the teachers
was made to the commissioners OF
education on the matter. =.
It Is understood that the teachers
will see the matter through n an
appeal to the commissioners OF edu-
cation would not be at all surprising.
In the meantime the Board of Edu-
cation is expected to adopt some
method of regulating the salaries
with a minimum and maximum Sup
ulation.
The matter of the attendance off,
Ger was again discussed. 1t was MIR.
Coan's opinion that the attendance
officer was under tenure OF ONCE and
could not be removed. Action on
Inl Was dSISllCu dLN UAAA - 49,
probability be taken up for action at
the next business meeting Of the
board. In compiling the budget no
stipulation was made for the attend
ance officer. His salary Is 5000 per
annum. Thomas Gleason is the Off
Ger in charge of this work.
Mr.. Coan compared the local
school budget with that Of the South
River schools. This city pays $56,595
while according to the budget South
River pays $4,000. The attendance
officer receives $1,000 while locally
he receives but 5000. In almost every
instance the budget of the South
River schools far exceeds this city's.
The vast difference is CLEANED from
the following figures: The amount
is $51,155, while South River must
raise $92,276.51.
The presidents message Is as fol-
Rules
This is an administrative body al
most in it's entirety, the rules which
we may make for the government OF
our schools are limited and ctrcum-
scribed by the school law. The rules
under which we are now operating
have to a great extent outlived their
usefulness. I would suggest that I'M
mediate steps be taken to so change
our rules as to meet present day con-
ditions and to conform to present
day standards.
Teachers
AS our first duty is to the growing
child that he may become imbued
with the proper principles of moral
ity and patriotism, it is essential that
those whom we employ to bend the
twig'' shall themselves possess in I'M
limited measures the principles we
demand that they inculcate In the
children of Jul schools. Coupled
with this, of course u teachers
must be thoroughly versed in the
subjects they teach. Our teachers
set a high standard for learn
morality and patriotism. 1t is
our duty to see that that standard is
in nc way lowered.
Salaries
There has been much discussion
in the last three months on this
question. It seems to be the thought
uppermost in the minds of the tax
as it Is in the minds OF n
members of the board. l feel with
your former president that 1t Is not
to reduce salaries, or to re-
to allow the teachers the in
crease called for in our rules, If that
or refusal Is going to re-
suit in an impaired efficiency or a
lower standard in the educational
facilities of our school. l also feel
that we should not indefinitely per-
nit those yearly increases but as
speedily as possible adopt such max
imum salary and such salary limit
as may seem fair and just to the
taxpayers and the teachers alike.
The question Of salaries as decided
on for our budget may raise what is
known as a controversy, between the
board and the teachers. and necessi-
tate an appeal to the state commits
of education. I suggest that
it would be wisdom to anticipate
such a move and at once lay the
whole matter before that official. His
or suggestion, in the matter
to be incorporated into u new
Attendance Officer
We have made no provision in IL
budget for a salary for this officer.
The Office is provided for in our
rules and in the state school law. l
think that it is likely this officer
is under tenure and irremOVable.