The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-20


First speaker for repeal
was the author, Senator
Henry F. Schricker (Dem.,
Knox, and he also closed the
discussion.
A good teacher does not need a
tenure law, Schricker asserted. The
law gives a teacher who serves con-
tinuously in a school unit life
contract, which can not be termi-
mated except for grave cause and
after hearing.
Law Called UndemOcratic
Schricker, who stated he married
a school teacher and has three
children in school and has served
as school board member, charged
the tenure law has been a con-
slant source of agitation since it's
passage, and is undemocratic in
principle. The law is unpopular and
does not work, the repeal advocate
said.
He asserted that if the matter
were put up to the people of the
state they would vote for repeal and
also would repeal the teacher min
imum wage and retirement fund
plan.
Floyd E. James, school superin-
tendent of Scott county, said that
of Seventy-tWo teachers in the
county only eight favored tenure.
Alonzo M. Lindley of Kingman,
former state senator, said he had
voted in previous sessions to repeal
the tenure law, and branded it
undemocratic in principle.
Bars Young Teachers
Assurance of lifetime jobs to
teachers bars the way to young per-
sons entering the profession, accord
ing to Otto HeiSe, Pulaski county
resident.
The life job holder loses respect
of his neighbors, according to Will
bur Shirley, principal of the New
Lisbon schools.
vey in eighty-three counties, Ed
ward Fisher, superintendent of
Parke county schools, said sixty
nine held the tenure law unsatis-
factory; twelve, partly satisfactory,
and only two satisfactory.
Argument against repeal was
opend by Dean H. L. Smith of the
Indiana university school of educa-
ton. He declared that the only
countries which do not have teacher
tenure are Iraq, China and India.
Two Uphold Law
Replying to the contention of re-
peal advocates that the law makes
removal of an unsatisfactory teach
er difficult, Donald Dushane, Co
lumbus superintendent, pointed to
the provision for hearing and de-
clared the time is past when re-
moVal of teacher "can be settled
in a back room behind locked
doors"
D. w. Horton, Muncie superin-
tendent, and Fred Mullin, school
board member, both asserted the law
keeps politics out of school admin
iStration.
Instead Of being contrary to the
American principle, the tenure sys-
tenn is in accord with it, Robert B.
Hougham, Johnson county superin-
tendent, asserted.
He cited the civil service plan
applying to federal employees, and
pointed out that United States SUI
preme court justices have life ten
ure.
Defended by Miss Fry
When the tenure issue was placed
before Indiana teachers in conven-
ton, only four out of between 1000
and $4,000 opposed it, according to
Miss Matte B. Fry, Anderson SUI
perviSor, and former president of the
Indiana State Teachers Association.
The tenure law, she declared, lifts
from teachers the fear of being dis
charged overnight for personal,
political, or religious reasons.
Welfare of children should be
the first consideration, Miss Fry
said. Indiana boys and girls have
suffered enough because of re-
trenchment in school expenditures,
she continued, without the added
injury of evils she declared would
follow repeal of tenure.
Others heard in support of the
law were Philip Zoercher, state tax
board member; Mrs. S. NJ. Myers,
president, indianapolis Federation
Parent-Teacher Associations; Miss
Edith VanWinkle, Vigo county
teacher, and Miss Clara Rathbon
of LOganspOrt former state as