Explanatory Notes
SALARIES AND WAGES
District Clerk Office Assistants
There has been a considerable increase in the volume of clerical work required in the District Clerk's office. Responsibility for building maintenance and repairs has been added to his duties. The preparation of payrolls has become further complicated by the Victory Tax and War Bond deductions. The proposed budget appropriation contemplates increasing the clerical staff from two to three.
High School Principal Office Assistants
It is felt that our clerical employees, in general, are greatly underpaid. It is particularly true of this staff where four of the five office assistants are employed twelve months for a salary of $1,000. The increase in this item is an attempt to give them a more living wage.
Teachers Salaries
The average salary of the Teaneck teachers is now approximately $2045. Elsewhere in this pamphlet is a chart which indicates the extent to which their salaries have lagged behind the cost of living. It should be remembered that this chart shows relative increases in income versus cost of living and that the trend in teachers' salaries is based on an average salary admittedly low. It leaves much to be desired when an average salary, initially insufficient, becomes relatively less sufficient by failing to keep pace with the increased cost of living.
About three years ago teachers became required to pay a federal income tax. This year they will have deductions for the Victory Tax. To this should be weighed the fact that the proposed salary total is for the next school year when it is expected that the cost of living will have risen much higher.
It is significant to note that, during the past three years, the belief that our teachers are underpaid has produced no dissenting voices from either the public or members of the Board of Education.
Janitors Salaries
Of the 25 janitors employed in this school system, 11 were hired in 1942. This rapid turnover was caused by the migration of our janitor personnel to war industries where more lucrative incomes were obtainable. There were some who went into military service. The increase in their salaries is intended to make our janitorial work more attractive so that we may have a more stable personnel.
School Athletic Supplies
There has been a modest increase in this item which may prove insufficient after all. The increase is predicated on the belief that the Federal government, due to war demands, will require greater physical fitness of the general student body. This will develop greater emphasis on intramural activity with its attendant increase in costs.
Rental of Office Space
This is for the offices of the Supervising Principal and the District Clerk. In the event that these offices should be moved to the old No.2 School building, this rental cost would be eliminated.
Transportation
The state law requires transportation of elementary children living two or more miles from school and of high school children living two and one-half or more miles from school. Since state aid is paid only on this basis and since the war transportation situation has become acute, it was decided to adhere to the state regulation. The saving in transportation cost naturally followed.
Fire and War Risk Insurance
The large increase in this item is due to placing War Risk insurance on all our school buildings.
Repairs and Maintenance
The substantial reduction in repairs and maintenance developed through the elimination of all but essential painting in our buildings this coming year. With the quality of present day paints impaired by the scarcity of essential ingredients and with labor costs quite high, it is felt desirable to defer action on all but essential painting for the time being.
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