Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1933-03-02
FORUM
Burton, Wash.

Burton, Wash.
Dear Mrs Smock:
In your forum of February l6, read
the article signed by @. Jensen, and
after bordering over same for O. day or
two felt that there should be pre-
sented some suggestions that might
present another phase than the one
stressed by G. Jensen. To wit, econ
omy at any cost.
In presenting the following article
l wish to stress the fact that I have
been a taxpayer on this Island since
1922. That I heve seen three of my
boys graduate, two other children drop
out before graduating, because of
other interests and still have three in
high school who are looking forward
with keen interest to the day when
they too may receive their diplomas.
should resent strongly any movement
made that would deprive these chill
dren of mine and those of my neigh
bors from the opportunity to acquire
a high school education. This article
is not written to excite controversy,
nor to antagonize anyone's opinions,
but in kindly spirit to ask all friends
of youth to pause and to consider
carefully before allowing the pressure
OF present economic conditions to warp
our better Judgment, or to do that
which will deprive young life of its
rightful heritage-a better and han
pier world in which to live.
In the opening statement the writer
objects to the employment of either
paid clerk of the board or of a
superintendent for the school. Let us
take an analogy: Suppose our road
supervisor, MIR. Ruhlen, were to take
some tool and go labor eight hours per
day on some particular road, leaving
the other men employed in keeping
our roads in useful condition, with no
supervision, Would that be economy?
Far from it. A supervisors work is to
plan, direct, and supervise, so that
there shall be coordinated effort to-
ward definite goal. The school board
meets monthly to plan and provide
ways and means to carry on the
schools, but one person must daily look
after correspondence, receive bills due
for services rendered. see that eX-
penses authorized by the board are
paid and prepare matters that will
come before the board at the next
meeting. This one person, whether
board member or not, must be paid.
The superintendent is our principal.
He regularly teaches two periods daily,
checks on absences and hardness,
keeps register of attendance upon
which our income depends, and makes
reports to county and state and super
Vises our work program so that our
school may be accredited and our
graduates enabled to enter any school
of higher learning. Certainly his
salary should be well above that Of a
teacher whose work is finished with
the close of the school day.
Regarding teachers being paid a
vacation salary, such is not the case.
Our teachers are paid on the 12-pay
plan-a method commonly used to
prevent resignation before end of con-
tract When the school year is COM
pleted, and all reports required have
been certified correct, then the June,
July, and August payments are due.
Regarding free text books and sup
plies there are arguments both pro
and con. In almost every school the
pros have won out.
The wage comparison in janitor SER
vice needs more investigation on the
part of the writer above mentioned.
The Burton grade uses three class
rooms and enrolls 10 to rs students
and costs $50 per month. The high
school uses an assembly room, twelve
class rooms, and the gym, and enrolls
230 students. The janitor in charge
of plant like our high school must
be mechanic of real ability, else our
plant would suffer in the caring of
furnace, electrical equipment, etc. The
lowest bidder, as suggested might be
a person entirely unfit to be among
children of high school age-or any
age.
The method of caring for and driv-
ing the school buses should not be
confused with janitor service. They
are distinct and separate. If they can
be more cheaply cared for and driven
under contract than they are at pres
ent, as a taxpayer I should favor the
change. But when it comes to paying
fare after being voted into the Union
District, should say never. The COL
lectiye cost of transportation is light
one, but the individual parent cost
would be prohibitive. The same holds
true to textbooks and laboratory cup
plies.
There are many things that
should like to present but space for
!, bids. In conclusion / wish to say a
word for our postgraduate students.
Their parents are taxpayers, their de-
sire to learn more in coinmendable,
economic conditions make 1t impos-
sible to go on to institutions of higher
learning. They are entitled to all that
our high school can give. In my de-
partment I find them ready to co.
operate fully in caring for shop equip
ment and willing to put out any work
required by the student-body for plays,
amusements. etc. Even the ping -pong
tables were mostly built by post
graduates. though the entire student
body uses them.
shall watch with interest the forum
in future issues, and If the spirit
moves. may write again.
Sincerely,
A. j. Lewis, Sr.