, 1962-02-07

Education. on two matters: tuition reimbursement and salary adj
iustmen Although had been on the post for % days, and although
she knew / was the Commissioner of Education, she never wrote me
on the subject and she didn't send me any courtesy copy OF the letter
to the Board Chairman.
Upon receipt of Mrs. Gardine's letter Mrs Schulterbrandt sent
me a copy a few days later, This was my first Introduction TO Mrs.
Caroline and her issues with the Department Of Education
Upon erceipt Of copy Of the letter from Mrs. shulterbrandt, I discuss
ed the matter with Miss Tuitt, received a brief background Of the
case and read some Of the letters in Mrs. Caroline file. Miss Iutt
informed me at this first meeting on the subject that she had pre-
pared two Change of Status Reports for Mrs. Caroline and that the
matter was then in the hands of the Division of Personnel. | let
the matter stand, pending action from Personnel
On October 2, 1861 MI. Victor L. Ebbesen, Director of Personnel
advised me by letter of that date that the two Change of Status Re
ports submitted by Miss Tuitt were being returned to the Depart
4ment Of Education "for Qualification (ee attachment No 13
Shortly after I received Mr. Ebbesen1s letter, Mrs Caroline came
into my office to discuss several things with me, one of which con-
cerned her salary status. At this meeting, Mrs. Garding insisted that
/ act on her salary right away since it had been going on for three
yeras. l told her thai while I sympathized with her, | needed some
time to review her case and to review the entire salary structure
of the office staff of the Department of Education. While she did
not accept my point of view, l was firm IN my stand ana l LEI the
matter rest there. She told me her patience was running out and she
threatened to resigned unless something was done Immediately.
In response to the July 18, 1861, request from the Governors
office for comments and recommendations on Mrs. Gardines letter to
the Governor of July II, 1861, | indicated my position IS follows:
Since the Director of Personnel has ruled against salary increase
for her under Act 597, that 1 do not intend to raise the question
again. Mrs. Caroline has requested that her position be reclass-
flied so that she can get a higher salary. | advised her that pend
ing an overall review and evaluation of all positions in the De-
partment l cannot recommend reclassifcation at this time" see
{ +aohment No. 149
Mrs. Gardine's first letter to me on the subject of her salary was
dated December 7, 1861. copies of which were sent to Governor
Paiewonsky and Mrs. Eldra Sutherland, Board Chairman. She
wrote:
Il am really tired Of waiting for something to be done. Won't
you pleas give me a little thought and do something about my
case? 1 believe nine is a special case and one that should be
settled soon. I have been receiving the same salary since Sept
1853, and it is not even the salary which I received in August
1857, which was hjGher
81 hate to be inquTng all the time about my salary, but since
nothing is being done I must continue to inquire. After all we
have to be concerned somewhat about our earnings, because in
these days we need SO much money to lve adequately. Everyone
is trying to get the best things for himself and SO l hope you
will not think that / am a bother, but J. too, am human and also
have needs as other people do'a see attachment No 1).
On December IA, 1861, I replied to her letter. The part which
concerned her salary read as follows:
"The issue of your salary will be reviewed along with the salaries
Of all other positions in the Department of Education. AS l
pointed out to you at a conference in my Office. | refuse to con-
slider salary adjustments for any existing positions, including
yours, o a piecemeal basis as this approach will be totally
unfair and unwise. l am fully aware of your desire for salary
adjustments and 1 fully appreciate your concern, but am fur
Their letter on the subject serves no useful purpose" (@e attach
ment Nc. 1).
On January 4, 1862, l called n Mrs. Caroline in her office in
st. Crox just as a matter of routine l had nothing in mind in par
tcular, but I wanted to greet her. She raised the question of her
salary again. The answer l gave her while not satisfying to her, was
the same, namely, that 1 planned no action until I completed all my