Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-12-03
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
SPECIAL MEETING.
MONDAY Nov %

..,.,t. MONDAY, Nov. %, 1859.
The Board held special meeting last night,
pursuant to notice, to consider the propriety
OF, and resources for, continuing the Public
Schools after this term closes, on December
25th.
PREsENT-Col. Robertson, Pres't-Inspec-
tors Neill, Mattocks, Paine, Stewart, Gray,
Lott, Combs, Hewitt, and Fiske ,rr .-f
A communication was read from Rev. E.
D. Neill, Secretary and Treasurer of the
Board, setting forth in clear light the finan-
cial condition, obligations, and prospects of
the Board. Retrenchment measures were
proposed-as, for instance, the employment
of ~ lady teachers, at salaries of $50 per
month, and having no male teachers Mr.. N.
paid high compliment to the abilities of fe.
male teachers, whom he thought equal to the
task ofoccupying all positions of the schools
Thus there would be saving of $4,000 per
annum. There was also Principal employ
ed at salary Of 81 900 per annum-a neces-
sary officer, and a gentleman of valuable ex-
perience in the duties of the Office. Also, his
own salary was $500 per annum. But they
both had agreed to resign, and let some third
party take both Offices, and thus save $3.50
more to the Board. ts
The Committee having opened the matter
to the Board, the question was taken up and
debated in all its bearings. .@
Mr.. Neil, by request explained more at
length the statements of his communicat ON.
He explained the nature of the embarrass-
ments Of the Board, its liabilities, and the
means for extrication that the Board possess
sed. The Principal, Mr.. Drew, he said, had
shown most noble spirit. He had been Of
fered 81 200 in Boston, but preferred to take
a position at much less salary here because
he felt an interest in the cause of Education
in our midst, and now, at the present crisis he
had agreed to forego it all, to further the
cause.
Mr.. Paine said he did not like the idea of
letting the Principals salary be one of the ex-
penses to be Topped off, Our night school
would cease then. He thought the day schools
ought to continue six months in the year at
least, especially in the winter season. In the
summer it was not so urgent, as the boys can
be otherwise employed. But we should by
all means endeavor to occupy the winter
terms. "A general retrenchment might help
this, say, reduce the salaries all round, $40
per month. He felt like maintaining them to
the last possible extremity. If we can get
through little longer-until the close of
March, we were out of our troubles.
Mr.. Fisk said he was sure that we should
have every co operation from all sources that
We could wish. The Council ought to do
something. They had been reducing the city
expenses, and were better able to assist u.s.
He was glad to learn that after next month.
the Gas would be shut off. This would save
several hundred dollars per month. Then the
Police force had been cut down-but why
not dispense with it altogether. The citizens
could act as Police I; he, for one, would -ickd
his turn on duty. BY tnese means, sacrifices
to be sure, we could do what we value more,
carry on our schools. Every citizen should do
his part, it was matter so vital to all. He
read an extract from . paper, showing the lit
tie money spent IN supporting schools. sayeda