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PROBLEMS RELATED TO PERSONNEL
An analysis of the minutes of the Midland School Boards reveals the fact that the board acted officially in regard to teachers and other employees on numerous occasions. This was especially true before the district had an administrator who could settle many problems before they got to the board.
As soon as the school district was organized in 190"(, the first problem confronting the new Board of Education was that of securing teachers for the opening of school in the fall. It was customary to advertise for teachers in the newspapers which were circulated in neighboring towns. Year after year approval was given to the secretary to get teacher applications in this manner. At the July 11, 1907., meeting the secretary was authorized to get candidates and to "ascertain if they were married and whether they would live in Midland if selected. In 1953 this practice seems amusing to us because at present 40% of the women teachers in Midland arc married and 50% of the entire faculty live outside the borough limits.
The teachers hired to teach in the district that first year were Arthur T. Mecder., who was to teach and act as principal for $80.00 a month, and Miss Dolores Reed and Miss Martha Ralston. Thc next year in July the board met to elect teachers for the 1908-09 term. Two teachers were elected unanimously on the first ballot, but it required seventeen ballots to elect the third teacher.
In December, 1913, the board passed a motion requiring "each teacher to spend n day visiting schools in other places." It would appear that the board recognized the need for some kind of in-service training for its teachers.
Visitation of other schools is still considered a good technique.
The board was faced with a real problem in 1916. It seems that the board had been rnther liberal in paying teachers salaries while they were absent. It seemed to the board that teachers were being absent too often for too many reasons and expecting to receive their pay; so the board passed a resolution requiring that teachers lose their pay when absent from school for any other reason than personal sickness or a death in the family. In 1924 this rule was changed so that teachers received one-half pay for absences due to personal sickness. The board also permitted the toachers to accumulate sick leave benefits. These rules prevailed until October 8, 1936. At that time the board adopted a new set of "Rules and Regulations Governing Leave with Pay" for school employees. This now policy was a rather generous one and continues in effect today.
At the April meeting of 1919 the secretary of the board was instructed to inform the teachers that they must file their application within a week if they were interested in teaching in Midland for the ensuing year. This practice continued each year until the continuing contract was required by state law in 1937.
Policies in reference to married women teachers:
May 2; 1922 - A resolution was passed stating that no married women were to be hired as teachers.
Dec. 5, 1922- A resolution was passed requiring the teacher's contract to contain a clause requiring women teachers to resign immediately upon marriage.
Feb. 23, 1924-Formor resolutions regarding married women teachers were rescindod.
Nov. 10, 1932-Resolution passed as follows: "that any Wale teacher shall resign when married.''
The Tenure Act of 1937 put an end to any policies adopted by the board in reference to the marital status of women teachers.
Policies concerning the selection of teachers
:July T, 1921 - Resolution passed that no now teacher be hired unless they had a permanent certificate or equivalent.
March 8, 1928 - Resolution passed that no teacher be hired who did not have two years experience.
July 12, 1928 - The above resolution was amended to read "excepting special subject teachers such as music, art, etc,."
March 20, 1929 Rule requiring two y~ars experience was rescinded.
May 1.0, 1934 - All new teachers hired were required to have a B. A. degree or equivalent.
July 13, 1938 - The two year teaching experience rule wns suspended.
Other policies of interest
:March 7, 1922 - A resolution was passed stating, "that the Board of Education go on record as disapproving teachers who have bobbed hair and short skirts."
March 20, 1929- A resolution passed to provide for teachers to be paid on a twelve month basis.
May 10, 1934 - Passed a resolution requiring teachers to retire at the age of 62. - Passed a resolution requiring teachers to retire at the age of 62 and non-professional employees to retire at the ago of 65.
Mention should be made of the printed
Rules and Regulations Governing Personnel of the Midland Public Schools." This is a rather complete report of classified and indexed material which deals with all policies governing personnel connected with the school system. This report was the result of about two years work by the administrator and a committee of the school board. The report was adopted in April, 1948, and became the official guide to questions concerning personnel. Those policies are being constantly studied and revised by board action when necessity warrants it. This set of Rules and Regulations has boon widely distributed among school people of Pennsylvania.In November, 1941, there was an attempt made by the C. 1. 0. to organize the janitorial staff, but the program did not materialize. The professional staff, of teachers for the most part are members of the Midland Education Association which is a branch of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. The representatives of the local organization have from time to time met with the Board of Education to discuss their problems, principally concerning salary. Usually the problems of teachers, either individual or collective, have boon channeled through the superintendent to the Board of Education.
The history of salaries for Midland teachers has been largely governed by state laws. Although the matter was considered ,,. number of times, a salary schedule for teachers has never been adopted. At the present time the only schedule of salaries for professional employees is that mandated by the state. Back in 1917 the board passed a resolution "that when a teacher takes a higher grade or one that pays more she shall receive the same salary as the other teacher." Prior to 1919, teachers' salaries were established by a bargaining system between the board and teachers, but in 1919 the first minimum salary law was passed by the Pennsylvania State Legislature. This low has been amounted several times since.
A resolution was Passed on April 18, 1925, as follows: "that the maximum salary of elementary teachers be $160.00 plus $l0.00 for summer work with a maximum of $15.00. The maximum for high school men - $2,200.00 except for principals, conches,, special teachers." This is the only official record ever made concerning a salary schedule for teachers. However, in June, 1951, the board established a salary schedule for clerks and secretaries.