The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-24
Rtcl1ntoltd Dispatrh.
"a, 1870.
/ THE CIRCULATION OF THE "DIsPATCH',
ls LARGER THAN THE COMBINED CIRCU-
LATIoN OF ALL THE OTHER DAILYNEWa
PAPERS OF THIS CITY.
Report Of Board OF Education.
OFFICE BOARD OF EDUoAT1oNl
CRY OF RICHMOND,

. OFFICE BOARD OF EDUoATIoH)
Cry OF RICHMOND,
RICHMOND, Va, February 1S, 1870. }
10 the President and Members of the City
Costnctl, Richmond, Ta.: -
Gentlemen, The Board of Education
nave the honor to present herewith the
report Of the Superintendent of Schools,
giving an account Of the introduction and
progress Of the public school system In this
clty, together with statement Of the pre-
sent condition Of that interest.
| The recommendations contained in the
Superintendent's report are endorsed by the
| Board, and in addition thereto the earnest
| attention Of the Council Is invited to the
following points-viz.:
1t is indispensable to the establishment of
a complete public school system in our city,
| and to its economical and successful ad-
ministration, that the Council provide as
speedily rs possible suitable buildings for
the accommodation of the schools. They
shouid be specially adapted to the purpose
for which they are designed; should be
substantial and attractive, but not expen-
slVe; and centrally located with reference
mend that the Council consider the pro-
priety Of issuing the bonds of the city to the
amount OF 500, 1000, payable in thirty-four
years, the. proceeds to be devoted TO the
erection of school buildings. We estimate
| that with this amount Of bonds sufficient
number Of buildings may be erected for the
accommodation of 1900 scholars, including
two large buildings for high schools. These
new buildings, with the school property
now owned by the city, and that which we
expect will be turned over to the city by the
government, eSe will afford ample room for
a,5oo scholars. twill not increase the bur-
thens Of taxation to Issue these bonds. The
amount the city Is now required to pay an.
nualiy for the rent and repair Of inconve.
nlently arranged and badly located private
property for school-rooms for the use of the
same number ~of scholars is more than the
sum necessary to pay the interest on the
bonds and to provides sinking fund for the
payment Of the principal at maturity.
1our attention is called to the third sec.
tlon OF the. ordinance in regard to public
| salary of the Superintendent OF Schools
"shall be fixed and provided for by the
Council" The services Of Ar. Washburn,
our efficient Superintendent, deserve, and
| should receive, liberal compensation, and
| we ask the Council to make an appropria-
| tion for that purpose.
Several religious bodies who are conduct
ing charity schools in this city outside of
the public school system have made appeals
directly to this Board for assistance, and
one such appeal has been forwarded to the
Board from the City Council. These schools
are not entirely without claims upon public
funds, and yet the method Of satisfying
them, SO common in other cities, by special
appropriation in each case, is very objec-
tionablc. 1t is capricious and unequal, q
source of corruption, and waste of public
money. A uniform method should be
adopted, so that every such school shall
receive assistance in exact proportion to
the work done. The Board would recon-
mend the enactment Of an additional article
to the ordinance establishing q system OF
public schools which shall provide that free
schools under the control of religious bodies
in this city shall be entitled to receive a
specific sum per month per pupil, estimated
upon the average daily attendance.
| 1t is further recommended that the ordi-
nance be so amended that the estimates
submitted annually in February and the
appropriations made in April apply to the
next scholastic year rather than to the cur.
rent fiscal year.
ESTIMATES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
To complete present scholastic year from
February /, instant, to June 80, proxi-
Deduct nnexpsnded balance of appro- ;ii
prlatlon asa3 ~
Amount REQUIRED. So, 900 90
For balance Of financial year from July i, 1870,
| to January 81. 1871:
For teachers salaries. 0s4
For rcuts of school-houses. ses............... 2,s2O
For incidental expenses, including fuel,
furniture, repairs, janilOrs' services, &c.,
&C.,. o,"i
IOtal.
We report rs above, in conformity with
the letter of the ordinance, for the financial
year. The Board, however, is of the
opinion that the spirit Of the ordinance,
and certainly the convenience and success
full working of the system, require that the
estimates which are presented annually III
the month of February, and the appropria-
tionS made in April, should be for the next
succeeding scholastic year, since contracts
With teachers, and for rents Of buildings,
&C., must be for the year ending June 80.
Accordingly, we present estimates below
for the next scholastic year, commencing
| July i, 1870:
| For salaries Of sxty-ive teachers. .... S2s 800
For repairs Of school-rooln and for school
For Incidental EXPENSES. Including rents. ''00'
| ianitors' services, fuel, printing, and sun
iV'f'
Total .s42 6?
Respectfully submitted.
| GEORGE CHAHooN President)
DAVID j. BURR,
| S. III. JONES,
L. r. PAGE,
| IL. X. ELLYsoS,
| X. Nj. MANLY,
Board of Education.