The cost of the personal services of teachers is quite properly
the largest item in our school budget of expenditures. In the past
years we have practiced economy upon our teachers. Their salary
scale has been reduced as follows:
5 per cent in
1931-32
5 per cent in
1932-33
10 per cent in
1933-34
This total reduction of 20 per cent is now in effect. The number of
teachers employee has also been reduced and more pupils assigned to
each teacher. It has thus come to pass that during the past six years
the total sum paid all white teachers has been reduced from $126,419
to $92,453,2 reduction of 27 per cent. During this time the minimum
requirements for teachers have been so increased that one more year
of college work has been added thus increasing the average cost of our
teachers' preparation.
In the estimate of expenditures for next year provision has
been made for restoring one-half of the reduction of salaries so that
each teacher would receive ten per cent less than the schedule in
effect in 1929-30. This proposal has received unanimous approval of
the school board and superintendent of schools. The actual restoration still depends upon action to be taken by the board of supervisors
at their meeting on April twenty-seventh when tax levies will be made
and an appropriation made for schools.
Those who are familiar with the history of the reductions and
restorations of the pay of employes of the Federal Government and the
Virginia State Government as well as the principal corporations of the
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country will recognize the proposed restoration as an act of justice
to teachers. We must remember though that the welfare of our children
is at stake, also.
The public school presents the county's best opportunity to
improve the human race. As an agency of society for improving our
civilization it has the greatest possibilities, greater than the church
because it can reach all people, greater than the home because it can
exercise more discretion in selecting those who will guide and influence
the destinies of our youth. Because the public school can, will, and
does place an indelible stamp upon the county's citizens at their most
plastic age, the school should be taught by citizens whose intelligence,
ability and personal worth rank high.
For this service they must be paid. And the pay must be offered
before the best citizens will decide to be and later prepare to be
teachers.
Now what monetary inducement do we offer teachers in Loudoun County?
From $51.00 to $75.00 per month for white teachers who are not
principals, the salaries being according to preparation and experience.
Does it seem at all startling that in Loudoun County any intelligent
person who has passed through high school, and four years of college and
who has successfully taught for seven years will receive no more than
$75.00 per month then and in later years unless serving as a principal?
Our high school principals who must be experienced, trained and superior
in ability receive salaries ranging from $108.00 to $174.00 per month.
Oh yes, salaries of white teachers are now for twelve months. But
nearly everybody else we know has an income on an annual basis. Teachers
must eat, wear clothes and do other things that cost money during the
summer. They are not like bears and amphibians which hibernate for a
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period. Those who have taken the trouble to study and investigate the
problem know that a teacher has very little opportunity for gainful
employment during the summer months and unlike practically all other
licensed professional people they must either take rigid periodical
examinations or attend college for the renewal of their licenses. Also
in order to hold positions it is necessary for teachers to keep up with
the changing problems which education is trying to solve and to do this
they must frequently attend college in the summer session.
Now here is a starting condition that probably proves a fact.
In 1934-35 we employed 19 teachers new to the county. of these
only six were Loudoun County residents. In 1935-36 we have employed
18 teachers new to the county. of these eight were residents of Loudoun
County. Now these 14 Loudoun County teachers employed in two years to
fill 37 available vacancies included nearly all teachers who prepared
themselves during the two years to teach and a few who had previously
taught elsewhere. The very astonishing fact is that during two years
of a major depression the supply of teachers in Loudoun was less than
one-half of the demand. Why? The answer is plain. The compensation
of Loudoun County school teachers is not sufficient to attract young
people who are preparing for their life's work into the profession of
teaching.
of course, we can always bring teachers from other sections and
an interchange, a going out and coming in, prevents an inbreeding of
ideas and is good. But if our compensation is not sufficient to draw
our college students into the profession it will likewise prove insufficient to attract well-qualified teachers from other sections and we
shall secure those of mediocre ability.
The investment of the sum required to restore one-half of the
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existing salary reductions is necessary if our schools are to be saved
from deterioration.