Evening star., 1944-01-28

Teacher Pay Setup
Superintendents Soy
Bonus System FoiIs
To Solve Problem
BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 28.-Stating
that bonus" payments to public
school teachers had not solved the
problem of retaining educational
standards in Maryland during the
war, spokesmen for the State school
superintendent urged Gov. OConor
yesterday to clarity the position of
the State on teachers pay pro-
posals."
DR.. Edwin w. Broome, chairman
of school superintendent and su-
perintendent of Montgomery County
schools, told the Governor and
Board of Public Works that these
are days when causes will not wait"
ut has become abundantly evi-
dent that the question of teachers
salaries in Maryland has not been
met. The programs so far attempt
ed are inadequate" DR.. Broome as
serted.
Appearing at hearing OF the
Public Works Board and representa-
.tiyes of the State department OF ed
iucatior, DR.. Broome declared that
If we could solve the problem alone
we would do it-but we have no
power.
Procedure Unsettled.
1--WE must rely upon the State ad-
ministration's fortnight leadership.
"It is essential that Qualifications
be made in order that we may de-
termine the procedure necessary for
our most effective cooperation.
I'VE sincerely ask" DR.. Broome
added, "that you, Governor, exercise
a bold and decisive leadership in
attempting to find a way for the
state to continue the bonus to teach
ers after May /. 1914"
Before DR.. Broome's statement to
the board, DR.. Thomas C. Pullen.
State superintendent of schools.
had explained the present situation
facing the state public school system
and recommended immediate action
ito assure the teachers a continual
ton OF bonus payments through
July /, 1945."
DR.. Pullen stated that the first
payment on the bonus to teachers
authorized by the 1943 Legislature
amounted to 5000 per teacher from
State funds.
Paid Monthly.
This 5000 was divided up into
monthly allotments to the counties
of $40 per teacher over the 10
month period of August l, l943, to
May l, 1914 However, the Legis-
lature also provided for $40 monthly
payments in the counties for the
seven school months of 1914 begin
ming with May on the condition
that the county commissioners
throughout the State put up $113
per teacher while the State allo-
Gated additional funds of $27 per
teacher.
The counties could qualify for
this $27 providing they agreed to
pay their share sometime between
July l, 1912, and January, 1945.
The 1912 date. DR.. Pullen added,
was inserted in the legislative
measure so that some few counties,
particularly Prince Georges, could
get the additional $27 on the proof
that they had paid their county
teachers the equivalent of $113 in
extra salaries during 1942-thus
emitting them, DR.. Pullen reported
to some help from the State in
1914.
18 Agree to Pay Share.
In answer to a question from a
board member, DR.. Pullen stated
that the general impression that
counties, except in the cases of
Montgomery and Baltimore, had not
requested the $27 appropriation was
not true, since he asserted that 18
of the counties have agreed to pay
their share.
Under questioning by members of
the Board of Public Works, the
school officials disclosed that 2,248
teachers who have left their posi-
tions in the last 18 months, replace
ments have been made in all cases.
OF the 2,248 whose designations
were reported, 1886 left to enter mil
itary service; 191 left because of
maternity and others left because
Of disability, death or other usual
reasons for retirement further re-
ducing the number who left to ac-
cept better paying positions.
Tawes Questions Practice.
1t also was disclosed that the
States appropriation for teachers
bonuses represented an amount
greater than increases granted
teachers in II of the % counties of
the State during the emergency.
State Controller j. Millard Tawes
asked the school representatives for
their views on the possibility of rails
ing the salary standard scale of
Maryland teachers rather than con-
tinuing bonus payments.
II wonder If such a salary increase
would not be more sound fiscal
policy than the present method of
appropriating special bonus sums
Mr.. Tawes, q member Of the board,
added.