The Wrangell sentinel., 1951-05-04
Council Rejects Teachers Request For Cost Of
 Living Bonus

Eleven members of the faculty of the Wrangell Phblic Schools aud Superintendent George Fabricius appeared before the Wrangell City Council last night to ask for a two hundrd dollar cost of living bonus. The Council voted to disregard the request.
 Acting Mayor Harry Coulter call ed the meeting to order with Coua- cilmen Art Nelson, George Smith. l.. J. Wheeler and Eern Smitn present. J. 0. Bangeman arrived later. Claude Berg, speaking to. the teachers asked for the Doa after stating that the recent Leg lsiature mad appropriated the Iu4a to cover the five per cent cut back ill school finances last year. 1 Ills amounts to $27S6 for Wrangen. Berg pointed out Wrangell Was one of the few schools paying the mini mum and that their request for a bonus for the fourteen members of the faculty had the endorsement of the school board. No board members were present.
 When questioned by the Coun- cil, Fabrieius stated he had word from Commissioner of Education James Ryan that the five per cent or about S2800 had been restored to the budget
 Finance committee chairmen G. Smith asked the other councilmen their pleasure and stating that the money would have to be borrowed as the city was broke.
 Coulter asked when payment of the five per cent could be expected and Fabricius stated with the final quarter payment for the school year around July.
 Long silences had occurred in the argument to this point Then Councilman Bangeman said, l. Is. hard to see a town Of th4s i'm ancial condition granting D1a4s don't doabl the adyisabillty bui do doubt the feasibility"
 t4bfIcius countered that tha1 had always been the trouble in the past also. It was more of a ques- tion as to whether it was fair or earned and pointed to the recent sales and tobacco taxes now easing the city financial burden. Councilman George Smith ac- knowleged that the city had meet raises in the past, tbat they bor- rowed up to $15,000 every year to make final payments to teachers, but said the city facilities, water and sewer, have taken a beating to cover the payments.
 Councilman Nelson said," If we have more or less committed our selves to raise and if the Legis- lature has passed the five per cent we are morally obligated
 Not necessarily" Bangeman countered, why pick certain group as hit by the cost of living when the town hasn't paid its bills in a year" He labeled the request by teachers who are under contract as "unheard of."
 For the record,' George Smith asked, how many teachers are re- turning"
 Fabricius stated about out of the fourteen but probably one less if the bonus didn't go through
 When asked by Nelson if they would take any alternate amount, Berg said they would be glad to take what they can get.
 At this point Bangeman made the motion, quickly seconded by Councilman Wheeler, that the re- quest be disregarded. It carried unanimously.
 ] Mrs. Jean Hofstad took exception 1 to Bangeman's remark that the re- quest was unheard of and Fabri- cius and Bangeman exchanged heated arguments as the teaqhers left.
 Standard vs Union Oil J. J. Coulter of Union Oil Con- pany appeared before the council to explain his view point on Stand ard Oils earlier request to be al- lowed to put in pipe line to the city power plant and share in the sale of fuel oil.