Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1919 — Teachers Going Back on Contracts [ARTICLE]

Teachers Going Back on Contracts

Prof. John D. Matt resigned as principal of the Demotte schools to accept the principalship of a school near Chicago at a very marked increase in salary. This leaves Demotte without a principal. The schools did not open at Demotte on time. R. A. Conn, who taught at River school In Wheatfield township, was employed by Trustee Bowie to teach the Center school In that township. County Superlntenddht Schanlaub of Newton county Informed Mr. Bowie over the ’phone late Saturday that Mr. Conn had moved from Brook to a small town in Newton county to teach there. Mr. Conn failed to notify anyone of his latest Intentions, consequently the Center school did not open with Mr. Conn as teacher, yet the trustee, county superintendent and patrons knew nothing to the contrary until accidentally discovered at a late howr Saturday. It was only through the fairness of Mr. Schanlaub that Mr. Bowie learned about Mr- Conn’s latest decision. Miss Cecile Jordan Informed Mr. Bowie last Thursday that she would not teach the River schoql for him. If he opened Monday he did so with half his regular corps of teachers. He has been making overtures to a number of the Wheatfield high school graduates who are not licensed teachers to get some one to substitute until he can fill these vacancies. There seems to be a tremendous scarcity of teachers throughout the state this year. Gladys McGlynn and Doris Powers resigned in Milroy township at too late an hour to get regular teachers. Mrs. Wood has consented to teach at Banner until Mr. Wood can get a regular teacher. Queen City is without a teacher unless Mr. Wood is able to get a substitute for that place for awhile also. Mr. •Pettit- of Walker is in the market for a teacher at the new school that is In process of construction at this time. It will be ready for use In two weeks. Mr. Harrington is short a high school teacher, but Mrs. Sterrett will take the place until a regular teacher is found. It requires a college graduate at Fair Oaks and the •college graduates are very scarce in normal times, let alone reconstruction times. Barkley township will not open until Sept. 15. The query is, how many of Mr. Davisson’s teachers will stand by their contracts until Sept. 15?