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Editorial
March 16, 1953
The Augusta Courier
Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Editorial from The Augusta Chronicle criticizes the Georgia General Assembly for denying pay raises to underpaid teachers while increasing salaries for other state employees. It highlights teachers' low pay compared to untrained workers, exodus from the profession, and predicts it will become an election issue favoring pro-teacher candidates.
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TEACHERS SNUBBED
(From The Augusta Chronicle —March 2, 1953)
With the Georgia General Assembly now having adjourned after a dull and dreary session, in retrospect it becomes obvious that the school teachers of Georgia were snubbed in a most shameful manner.
During the past fiscal year, the pay of more than 15,000 state employees was increased on an average of $450 for each employee.
But the teachers, admittedly underpaid, were not even granted the mere pittance they asked in the form of a raise to meet the increased cost of living.
It was not so much the fact that the teachers were refused even a small boost in pay, but it was the manner in which the Legislature absolutely snubbed them. They were not told that their salaries would be increased if, when the revenue came in, there was enough money in the pot to take care of their needs. They were not even told that perhaps ways and means could be found to raise their salaries at the next session of the General Assembly.
They were simply told that their appeal for a cost-of-living pay raise had been denied.
The people of Georgia, we believe, are coming to the rescue of the members of the teaching profession in this state, and see to it that they are justly dealt with and that they get the remuneration they deserve— salaries which compare favorably with those of other state employees, at least, and salaries which are commensurate with the importance of the work they do.
It is a matter of common knowledge that there are thousands of other state employees, many of whom needed no special training to get their jobs, whose pay is in excess of that received by the college-trained teachers of our state.
It is also a matter of common knowledge that teachers are leaving the classrooms in droves to accept more remunerative jobs in other fields; and that teachers are being forced to take outside part-time jobs in order to supplement meager budgets which are not large enough to provide a mere subsistence.
The people of Georgia are going to make teachers' pay an issue in the next election, and we believe that the candidates who stand for fair and equitable treatment of the teaching profession are the ones who are going to win the support of Georgians when they run for election.
(From The Augusta Chronicle —March 2, 1953)
With the Georgia General Assembly now having adjourned after a dull and dreary session, in retrospect it becomes obvious that the school teachers of Georgia were snubbed in a most shameful manner.
During the past fiscal year, the pay of more than 15,000 state employees was increased on an average of $450 for each employee.
But the teachers, admittedly underpaid, were not even granted the mere pittance they asked in the form of a raise to meet the increased cost of living.
It was not so much the fact that the teachers were refused even a small boost in pay, but it was the manner in which the Legislature absolutely snubbed them. They were not told that their salaries would be increased if, when the revenue came in, there was enough money in the pot to take care of their needs. They were not even told that perhaps ways and means could be found to raise their salaries at the next session of the General Assembly.
They were simply told that their appeal for a cost-of-living pay raise had been denied.
The people of Georgia, we believe, are coming to the rescue of the members of the teaching profession in this state, and see to it that they are justly dealt with and that they get the remuneration they deserve— salaries which compare favorably with those of other state employees, at least, and salaries which are commensurate with the importance of the work they do.
It is a matter of common knowledge that there are thousands of other state employees, many of whom needed no special training to get their jobs, whose pay is in excess of that received by the college-trained teachers of our state.
It is also a matter of common knowledge that teachers are leaving the classrooms in droves to accept more remunerative jobs in other fields; and that teachers are being forced to take outside part-time jobs in order to supplement meager budgets which are not large enough to provide a mere subsistence.
The people of Georgia are going to make teachers' pay an issue in the next election, and we believe that the candidates who stand for fair and equitable treatment of the teaching profession are the ones who are going to win the support of Georgians when they run for election.
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
Economic Policy
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Teachers Pay Raise
Georgia Legislature
Education Funding
State Employees Salaries
Election Issue
What entities or persons were involved?
Georgia General Assembly
School Teachers Of Georgia
State Employees
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Denial Of Pay Raises To Georgia Teachers By Legislature
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Legislature, Supportive Of Teachers' Rights
Key Figures
Georgia General Assembly
School Teachers Of Georgia
State Employees
Key Arguments
Over 15,000 State Employees Received Average $450 Pay Increase, But Teachers Denied Even Small Raise For Cost Of Living.
Legislature Snubbed Teachers By Outright Denial Without Promises Of Future Increases.
Teachers Underpaid Compared To Untrained State Employees Despite College Training.
Teachers Leaving Profession For Better Pay And Taking Part Time Jobs To Survive.
Public Will Make Teachers' Pay An Election Issue, Supporting Pro Teacher Candidates.