Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-09
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Meeting OF the Board of Trustees

Schools Compulsory Attendance, dc.
meeting of the Board of School Trustees
was held last night at the Franklin School
Building, all present except Mr.. Stephenson.
The Superintendent, Mr.. j. y. Wilson, was also
present. Mr. f. ID. Stuart was chosen chairman,
and. in the absence of the secretary, Mr.. j. T..
Proctor acted in his place.
RESERVATIONS OF TEACHERS AND APPLICATIONS
FOR TEACHERsHIPs.
Mr.. Harris presented the resignation of Miss
q. A. Walker as a teacher, which was accepted
Mr.. French presented the application of Miss
NJ. A. Mitchell for leadership, which was re-
which was accepted. He also presented the ap-
plication OF Miss Z. A. Pilling; referred. A
number Of communications were then read and
referred.
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
A communication was read from Mr. Selke
teacher of the German language, in relation to
q Misunderstanding between himself and Trus.
tee Duln, growing out Of a conflict Of authority
with reference to the right Of the trustee to
withdraw q pupil from the German exercises
without the consent Of the teacher. After some
debate, it was laid over.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
Mr.. Mcclellan moved that the committee on
annual report be authorized to employ 9 clerk
to aid in making up an abstract ct the pro-
RHPonT OF COMMITTEE ON TEACHERS
Mr. Mcclellan, chairman OF the committee on
teachers, submitted the iSliow Ing:
port, that in pursuance of notice given
through the newspapers, they held
AN EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES
for teachers, at the second district female
grammar school room, on Saturday, the 22d ult
But one member of the committee and the SUI
perintendent were present. The room was early
of the age prescribed by the rules Of the board
Among this class were three young ladies who
have been appointed assistant teachers. 1t was
decided to examine them, as well as the sub
assistants, and specially report the cases of
those who should pass. All others under eighteen
years of age were instructed to retire to the
lower room, and all but two OF them complied
Those who remained, by their open disregard of
the instructions given, withdrew after a spirit
of insubor dination that they cannot hope will
commend them to the favor of the board. Each
applicant was designated by number by which
alone she was known to the examiners, and the
envelopes containing the name were not opened
until all the answers had been examined, each
marked according to its merits and the award
OF certificate made. For each question a max
imum credit was affixed and against eyery
answer submitted the mark to which it was en-
titled was placed. These papers are open to the
was much less difficult than those hitherto con.
Quoted by the committee of the board, 1t was de-
termined to recommend no person for a certifi-
hundred was less than ffty-hve 155., " 1t tI is
recommended that the following certificates be
granted:
LIST OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES.
Grammar school, Nathaniel z. Gage, Mary
Z. Martin; intermediate, Alexander T. Stewart;
Secondary, Susan L. Langley, LuciIla q. Smith:
Primary, in the order Of merits as indicated by
Marion 5. Malone, Kate T. Brown, Mari A.
Scott, Maggie Walsh, Susan T. Collins, Susan
g. Hickey, Frances Z. Julien, Marion T. With
erell Lizzie Felger, Marion f. Shook, Martha
Armistead, Kate 7. Rawlings, Cornelia Ellis,
Martha j. McCutchen, Jane p. McCauley
Those who already have certificates of as high
grade as this examination would entitle them to
are not mentioned. The following, not eighteen
years Of age, received such marks as would
entitle them to primary certificates were thew
old enough, and 1t is recommended that certif-
sge Mary Ann Dodge, Virginia K. Cuttings,
Mary l.. Strobel.
The committee cannot refrain from suggest
ing the inexpediency of appointing even as act
ing teachers, those who have not passed q salts
factory examination. By requiring an exami-
nation it Is implied that 1t is test Of the ntera-
~ qualifications Of the Candidate, and the prac.
pointments of those who have not been before
the committee can lead to nothing but evil
The committee intend to hold An examination
near the close Of the present school year, and
will have others when necessary in special
cases. But the recent examination discloses a
fact that demands immediate attention. A rule
OF the board declares that teachers Of primary,
NOT LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
Yet IL appears that three persons are now acting
as teachers, under appointments, who have not
reached eighteen, two of whom were scarcely
seventeen when appointed. The rule is not
only disregarded, but violated without apparen
reason. AT least the degree OF maturity at
teacher, and applicants who have reached that
period OF life, and who give as good evidence as
90 those who are younger of possessing the
mittee recommend the adoption of the accom-
panying resolution.
lSignedEGeo. F. Mcclellan, W. j. Murtagh,
Fred. ID. Stuart.
THE RESOLUTION.
Resotred, That hereafter the committees on
eachers shall examine no applicant who shall
not present satisfactory evidence OF being eigh-
no appointments as teachers or acting teachers
OF any person who shall not have received a
certificate in accordance with the rules Of the
board.
Mr.. Harris asked Mr.. Mcclellan if he con-
ttIued the resolution to apply to all teachers
who hold certificates.
Mr.. Mcclellan thought it best to present a
resolution for the guidance Of the board in all
cases OF granting certificates hereafter.
Mr.. Hart thought the responsibility should
rest with the board as to making rules govern
ing certificates.
Mr.. Champion said his idea was that IL any
acting teacher failed to pass that the failure to
obtain certificate was equivalent to q dis
Mr.. Stewart thought a second trial should be
given applicants, and II they failed then the
resolution just offered should apply to them.
Superintendent Wilson thought the interests
Of the schools required this resolution to be
adopted.
After some further debate the resolution was
adopted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
MIR. Harris, from the ub-board of the first
district, submitted recommendations Of trans
fers, appointments, &c, which were approved
by the board. Mr.. Champln, from the sub
board OF the fourth district, recommended that
Miss Mary T.. Martin be transferred from
the acting to the permanent list; approved.
Mr.. Woodward, from the b-bOard of the sec
ond district, recommended that Nathaniel u.
Gage, Kate L. Brown and Susan Collins, acting
teachers, be confirmed as teachers; so ordered.
MIR. French, from the sub-board of the third
district, submitted a list OF transfers Of teach
err. Mr.. Stuart reported the sale of school
building at the corner OF I'D and streets, for
S115.
PERSONAL MATTER.
The communication OF MIR. Selke was, on mo-
ton Of MIR. Dulin, taken up.
Dir. Dulin thought it strange that MIR. Selke
had brought the matter before the board, as IL
was personal matter between himself and s..
Mr.. Hart did not think trustee should inter-
fere with the duties OF special teacher accord
ing to the bylaws.
Mr.. Champlin said IL was a question whether
the pupil in question be excused from the study
Of the German language. II the teacher had
the right to retain pupil after the trustee gave
orders for his withdrawal, or even his consent
to withdraw, the trustee would be in fact subor-
dinate to the teacher.
Mr.. Mcclellan thought that they should be
governed by the laws Of the board in these mat