The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-06
Especial to The, Democrat

| NolSNSA0h ~ Liz,
Naugatuck, April 6 - Like the
cation turned thumbs down on a
proposal by Superintendent of
Schools Harold E. Chittenden last
night that teachers salaries either
be increased or that part of the
Is per cent reduction in pay made
several years ago be restored now.
This was the feature Of the meet
ing for 1t is seldom that the men,
bers of the board don't agree with
the superintendent. However the
four members present, Henry
Freeman, the lone democrat, and
Emil Mannweiler. Howard Bristol
and Chairman Charles p. Roden-
bach, all republicans, were unani-
mously against the action.
AS announced exclusively by the
Democrat yesterday, there was a
slight deficit in the budget for the
past fiscal year, 1t being overspent
by the sum of $4,922.77 or nearly
$4,000. The amount appropriated
for the fiscal year which just end
ed was $174,500 and the amount
spent was $179,472.77.
Budget Increases
PAOPc'Sd pu0SSI AOI tII0
present fiscal year, drawn up at the
meeting yesterday, is an increase
of $500 over that of last year. 1t
amounts to $180,600. Last year ex-
penses were cut to the bone in the
appropriation. the board members
claim, and there was not enough
leeway for unexpected items, Sup
erintendent Chittenden said.
The board had drawn I'm n hid
get figure which amounted to
$180,62S. Apparently it was all set
to- consider that part of its work
accomplished when Superintend-
ent Chittenden asked If they were
mt going to at least consider the
question of raising teachers salar-
les.
He pointed out the question of
salary restoration was under gen.
eral discussion throughout the
state. Waterbury and New Britain
made such restoration he said.
He added If he, had thought no
increase was contemplated, he
would have urged a salary boost in
place of some increases for mater
ials in the tentative budget which
will be submitted to the board of
warden and burgesses.
Keep Expenses Down
Chairman Rodenbach pointed
out the borough board is trying to
keep down expenses for the COM
ing year. There are many taxpay-
ers in arrears now, he said, and
an increase in salaries would only
be an added burden to these citi-
zens. he said.
Attorney Freeman pointed out
that teachers on the average are
getting $36 a week instead Of $4O",
which he said is not bad pay at
all in these times. Other members
agreed with this statement.
When Superintendent Chittenden
asked IL the teachers were treated
the same way as other borough
employees. Attorney Freeman ans.
Wered the pay of policemen had
been cut from $40 to $28 although
he admitted some restoration had
been made last summer.
1t was pointed out by Mr. Rodcn-
bach that the budget had been
slashed In recent years from 20 to
so per cent and 1t would be ad-
visable to restore some of these
cuts before the teachers cuts were
restored, the latter being only Is.
pr cent.
Many Have To Share Work
Mr. MannWeiler declared that
many men in factories only get "a
hours week work under the MIRA
and have to share pay with others
under the work distribution sys-
tenn. 1t was also pointed out that
in some municipalities teachers
mad to walt months to get paid and
then sometimes didn't get the full
amount they were entitled to. In
Naugatuck they get paid prompt
iy and in full.
Attorney Freeman said that he
wants to restore the teachers SAL
aries to former levels "as soon rs
we possibly can" He felt that the
town was not sufficiently out of the
depression to justify this as vet.
Other members expressed the same
idea.
Unforeseen Expenses
Superintendent Chittenden. in
commenting on the deficit this
year, said that unforeseen ex-
penses arose. He mentioned trans
portatton in particular for which
$1.700 was appropriated and So
93S.29 spent. The board last year
decided 1t would be better to spend
more than was appropriated on
this. he pointed out.
He said the health officer In
town had virtually requested an
extra nurse to be appointed and
the illness Of the regular nurse
added to the expense OF this item.
For this $1,477 had been appro-
priated and $1,765.1S was spent.
A new state law involved extra