Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-05

The Pub1fc Sch00l TeochershtpS.
THE cAsIs OF PRINCIPAL MCKEE AND
MRS. HEWITT.
Last evening the committee on teachers
OF the white schools Of Washington and
Georgetown held meeting 70 consider the
case Of Mr.. Mckee lwho II Is proposed to
drop from the roll OF teachers and principal
Of ths nrst district and appoint in his place
of the Female Grammar School. Messrs.
Randolph, Dyer, Hovey, and Lloyd of the
COMMITTEES were present.
sTATENENT OF PRINCIPAL NIKE
MI. Mckee submitted q written state ment
OF some length giving an account Of his ad-
mlnlstrauon as principal IN the last five
upon his duties the schools over which ne
presided were In low grade OF improvement,
put Il this time were improving and had been
OF bis wife he taught private pupils at night
for the purpose Of Pecuniary aid, and 1t W IS
known TO the active members OF the sub
board OF the first district. In the last two
years the schools had improved, although
there might have been little better depOrG-
ment in one or two OF the schools. he felt
from his school was certainly able to care OF
bimself. During his occupancy OF office he
had discharged his duties day and night
reason why he should not be reappoInted.
There were no charges against him, indeed q
member OF the sub board who had suggested
his removal said there was no, single ia
stance where he had neglected his duties, or
was not gentleman. He charged that the
condition OF the school was owing 20 the IN
efficiency of his assistant, Mr. l.. b. Allen,
for the school began to fall Of just about the
time ne (A.) took Mr.. Stewards place
Mr.. Mckee fled the statemen with the
committee, and also presented a petition
signed by 80 citizens, and q nu nber OF pri-
waite letters requesting mis- reappointment.
The chair asked II there were any wit
mes ses that Mr.. Mckee desired TO pro- luce.
Mr.. Mckee replied that there were, but
that they were not present,
Mr.. Hovey asked II there was any one who
had anything to say against M. Mckee as
teacher, disciplinarian and gentle ID an.
nh. ALIENS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Allen asked to read a statement, in
which, in reply TO the principals charge that
he (A.) was indOlent and inefficient, he said
that he was the successor OF Mr.. A, I. Stu
art, former teacher, and confessed that ne,
being an entire stranger, was not acquainted
with either Mr.. Mckee, his rules, manner or
the dispositions Of his pupils. Being new, he
Der OF cases he had applied TO Mr.. Mckee for
assistance that had been rendered but spar
ingly. he was not supported about disci-
pine. When he went there he was sent
record cards TO write out the general stand
ing OF not only his school but MeKees also.
There were no dates or lists Of studies on the
cards, and II was almost imposs Die TO enter
GORE correctly H IN Inc record book he had been
Spoke about IT without effect. There was
often disorder in the Railways, and IL was
Mr.. McKee's business TO quell the same.
IL was usual for others TO do his work. he
(A.), as new eginner, had not had fair
trial and asked another.
stated that Mr.. Stuart had been instructed
70 tell Mr.. Allen how 1t was worked, put 1t
appeared he had neglected to do so.
TESTIMONY.
Ex-Trustee Hart testified that the discI-
pline OF the school was bad-the worst of any
school In the buildiDg-and he mentioned
that the boys and girls OF the grammar
and 1t was found that it was through the
boy who had been employ ed as clerk 10 the
sub board, and this boy subsequently re-
eeived the medal. Mckee seemed to care
but little about the furniture, books or
desks, and was not punctual, often nearly
all the teachers being present before he was.
Ex-Trustee Faust said that he never con-
plinarian, and there was disposition to
drop him when he was In the board.
Mr.. Rey burn remarked that they seemed
TO be inquiring as 10 what the school was
some years since, not at present.
Mr.. Harris said there was no complaint
against Mr.. Mckee as gentleman.
Elk Trustee Robinson testified that be
knew but little OF Mr.. McKee's manage
ment, but had united with the board in al
dressing him letter stating that sons
improvement was necessary.
Mr.. Hart explained that two letters were
addressed to Mckee-One requesting an I'M
provement, and one saying that mis- res gna-
lion would be accepted.
Superintendent Wilson testified that he
could not say what particular excelieucies
Mr.. Mckee had as an executive officer. He
did not appear TO have much tact in pre-
venting evils. He would not be satisfied to
leave matters entirely In the hands OF Mr..
Mckee. He never doubted but that Mr..
Mckee was d1scharsing his duty as teach-
er Is the best OF his ability.
Mr.. Mckee explained that the boy referred
10 was under the sub board, and he having
been discharged by them, he did not consider
that he should be punished again by being
marked on the school roll In every other
way the boy deseI yed the medal.
Mr.. Mckee asked Messrs. Harris and Hart
IL they had not cOmplimented the Sc oOl re-
peaiedly, and they replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Dyer asked TO put In evidence the pa
pers as 20 the qualifications OF Mr.. Copp,
and they were filed.
MRS. NEvITT's CASE.
the case OF Mrs. hewitt was Ia ken up, and
Mr.. Rey burn filed a paper asking her reten-
ton signed by the parents of every one of
her pupils.
Mr.. Fanst testified to the school OF Mrs.
hewitt being nne one, the discipline good,
Mr.. Dyer said that the special complaint
was the unladylike behavior OF some OF her
and Informed that that was owing In q
measure TO defect in Mrs. Nevitt's vision.
III that was so, he had done Mrs. N. an in
justice.
Superintendent Wilson said Mrs. N. was a
very thorough scholar and capital instruc-
tor. She was near sighted, and often In her
studies became so engrossed as not to be
aware OF what was being done few yards
of.
Mr.. Randolph asked II this defect In her
vision would not disqualify her?
Mr.. Faust asked that II this was the
what would become of the many near sight.
ed professors in the colleges.
This closed the testimony.
The Gr@cO- Roman WRESTLING Match.