The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-03-27

The Teachers Union of the State
University urges organized labor t.
give close attention to what Is hap
pening to the public schools in Mon
tana this spring. There are three
factors to notice: ~ salaries, (2)
teaching loads, and (3) tenure.
% Some school boards may use
the present war situation to lower
teachers salaries This is unfair and
unwise for most communities. Higher
rather than lower salaries are neces-
sary, even in ordinary times, to secure
the right kind of teachers for our
children. Now, when living costs are
rising, 1t is doubly unfortunate to cut
teachers salaries If qualified teach
ers are going to be kept in the teach
ing profession, some adjustment must
be made to meet this situation.
In most communities these reduc-
tions are unnecessary. With rising
valuations and increased returns from
the investments of the permanent
school fund, school boards should con-
slider the question fairly, and increase
salaries to partly care for the in
crease in living costs. According to
national survey, many cities have
already provided cost of living
bonuses of 10 to 1870. A recent survey
of all cities of over 10000 popula-
lions shows that more than 500 have
SO far provided salary bonuses or are
cor, old ori1oO cr1ob ofono For tho ,oayf
school year. In New Jersey, the legis-
lature has passed law allowing cost
of living bonuses to teachers up to
20% increase. We cannot expect
teachers to continue on a less-than-
living wage, when the government
and the war program are offering at
tractive and well-paid jobs. Already a
serious shortage of good teachers
exists, which will result in serious
loss to our schools.
(2) In some communities the
school population, for various reasons,
is diminishing School boards over
concerned about economy are reduc-
ing the number of teachers. Two ef-
fects both bad may result: ~ the
elimination Of certain valuable sub
jects because Of lessened demand,
and (2) serious overlooking of the
reduced staff. Good teachers will
leave the profession rather than con-
tinue under conditions which make
good teaching impossible. We are be-
queathing pretty tough world to
our children. We ought to give them
the best education we can provide.
go Teachers in all the public
schools-not just in universities
have long needed some security in
their positions. If they can be dis.
missed at the will of one or two men, |
without explanation or hearing, they
soon learn to keep silent on all con-
troversial issues. Instead of preserv-
ing our American schools as strong
hold of our traditional freedom of |
thought and speech, this defeats de-
mocracy at the very start. Our chill |
dren grow up under the influence of |
teachers who themselves cannot live
and speak freely. Wartime offers an
opportunity for reactionary groups to
force dismissal of independent-think
ing teachers. Organized labor should
see that this does not happen. In
Montana, we should be working for
a teacher-tenure law, such as exists
in many states, which would allow
teachers to stand fearlessly for the
truth.
Organized labor has always been
a staunch supporter of our public
school system. 1t should continue to
the best interests of our pub
Of teachers. Soon, we hope, teachers
will come to realize that they too
are workers who should be organized