Evening star., 1946-06-05
City HeadsStudy
$500 Teachers
Pay Raise Plan
Board Of Education
Coils Flat Increase
Most Equitable

Most Equitable
A fiat 5000 raise for the city's
5000 public school teachers was
under consideration today by the
Commissioners.
They took the proposal under
advisement after a public hearing
yesterday at which members of the
Board Of Education, school officials
and teacher organization repre-
sentatives urged the fiat increase,
rather than a percentage increase as
the most equitable means of meet
ing increased cost of living. More
than 30 teacher groups favor this
plan, the Commissioners were told.
District budget officials have esti-
mated the. cost of the proposal at
$2,100,0 900 and are understood to
have recommended against it In
favor of IA per cent increase in
prospect for the classified city en-
ployes and also sought by the police
and firemen. The IA per cent boost
for teachers would cost an estimated
81, 400, 900.
Board Head Asks Action,
Swift approval of the 5000 increase
was asked by Mrs. Henry Grattan
Doyle, president of the board, in the
hope of passage by this Congress
before 1t adjourns probably next
month.
Both Mrs Doyle and First Assist
ant Supt. of Schools Carol R. Reed
emphasized the general preference
OF the nat pay hike over the per-
centage boost because they said a
percentage increase would benefit
principally the highest paid per-
sonnel In the system. DR.. Reed read
to the Commissioners the opinion
Of Supt. Hobart Corning, who was
unable to be present.
"A IA per cent increase on a 81 900
salary would be $780," DR.. Reed de-
clared, but on my salary it would
amount to $780,"
Grades Established.
DR.. Reed said the salary relation
ship between grades were established
properly by the Pay Act of last
July and these would be destroyed
by a percentage increase.
Support of the Board of Trade and
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions was indicated to an increase
In teacher pay without Endorsement
Of this particular measure. Spokes-
men for the Petworth Citizens Asso-
citation and the Metropolis View As
sociation indorsed the $500 plan.
In response to questions by Com
missioner John Russell Young as to
where the money is coming from to
meet the increases, John H. Con-
naughton of the Petworth AsSocia-
ton said his group recommended a
half per cent increase in the District
income tax. fair and reasonable
sales levy, and boost to 81, 500 or
more Of the liquor license fees. He
also suggested cent boost in the
gasoline tax which Mr.. Young re-
minded would not be available for
salaries.
Unions Give Stand.
Mrs. Catherine Hurley, represent
ing CIO teachers union, said her
group was not opposing a $500 in
crease, but urged that teacher pay
generally be placed on the level of
Federal professional employees with
whom they compete.
Miss Selma Borchardt of the
American Federation of Teachers
(AFL), likewise did not specifically
oppose or support the 5000 plan, but
emphasized her loyalty to the prin-
ciples of the pending McCarran
teachers pay bill sponsored by her
group. The McCarran bill calls for
single salary scale for teachers, she
explained, meaning that a teacher
with a masters degree teaching in
the elementary schools would get as
much as one with a masters degree
teaching in senior high school.
The McCarran bill is opposed by
the Board of Trade. It's introduc-
ton initiated the salary discussions
among the teacher organizations
that resulted in the School Board
recommendation of the 5000 plan,
Miss Borchardt told the Commits
sioners.
Among those filing statements for
the $500 raise were Mrs. Mary Resh
of the Joint Legislative Council of
43 educational organizations, Mrs.
Emily Gosling of the Teachers Ad-
viSory Council, Mrs. Catherine
Graves Of the Elementary School
Teachers Association, Miss Myrtle
Moore of the Junior High School
Teachers Association, Miss Sue
Brett Of the Senior High School
Teachers Association and Charles
Lotion, of the Columbian Education
al Association.