At least two cases are pending in local courts as a result of non-payment of teacher’s salaries, it became known today. One action involving money due Jack Gembis, coach of the Chesapeake high school, formerly affiliated with the Decatur and Blackfork schools and one case involving money due Lewis A. Maxwell on his 1930-31 salary, are in court at this time

The case in which Gembis is involved is more or less an odd one and there are possibilities that there will be still others like it filed in local courts.

Gembis it is pointed out by his attorney, H. A. McCown, was employed by the Blackfork board of education last school year. He was hired at a specified salary but lack of finances made it necessary for the board to get behind in the payment of salaries to teachers. As a result some of Gembis’ and other teachers’ salaries are still due this year. However a short time ago Gembis received a letter from the Blackfork board of education informing him that instead of them owing him money from last year they had overpaid him according to his qualifications as a teacher under the new salary scale set by the state. Gembis is now employed at Chesapeake and the Blackfork board, it was reported by Attorney McCown, has announced that it will collect the amount overpaid Gemis from the Chesapeake board.

"If the Chesapeake board has money which it wants to pay out to the Blackfork board we have no objections," remarked McCown, "but that will not keep the Chesapeake board from being indebted to Gembis for the salary at which he was hired at Chesapeake. McCown expressed the opinion that it was foolish for the Blackfork board to assume the attitude that it would pay back pay to Gembis on a contract for last year on a salary scale in effect this year. Action has been filed in Squire Burke’s court by Gembis in an effort to recover his full salary.

Judgment for $500 on last year’s salary together with court costs and interest has been allowed Lewis A. Maxwell against the Proctorville board of education in the Lawrence county court of common pleas.

Maxwell was hired by the Proctorville board to teach in the high school during the school year September 1, 1930 to May 15, 1931. His salary was set at $1,500 but he received only $1,000 of it, he contended. He asked for the balance of $500 with interest at six percent from May 15, 1931 and court costs in an action filed thru the firm of A. R. Johnson.

The school board did not contest the action and the judgment was allowed on default.

Ironton Tribune, 17 March 1932, Thursday, Page 10.