Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-09
The Public Schools.
NETTING OF THE BOARD OF rRl


sent except Mr.. Hart.
The application OF Miss Hermione Aston,
of Arlington. Va, for leadership in the
cGlored schools, was referred.
MI Johnson made report on the applica-
ton OF DR.. a. I. Augusta for salary as
lecturer In the High school for one month,
recommending that he be paid as soon as he
complies with the rules by furnishing an in
ventory of the property placed la his charge;
which was adopted.
TIE PANICs AT THE STEVENS BUILDING.
Mr. Johnson, OF the eth district sub board,
submitted report on the fire and panics at
The stevens building. They enclose q de-
iHlied statement OF the principal, Mrs NJ. B.
catcher. and say that the matter was i'm
mediately reported to the Commissioners,
with the request that a thorough inspection
be made Of the building. especially as TO the
means provided for egress. The alarm Gre
ated by the fire and the report Of the inspec-
tor impaired public confidence IN the safety
OF the building TO such an extent as to de-
mand the Immediate attention of the sub
board. The schools were visited and assur-
ances given as TO the safety OF the building.
The schools returned to their work, when
another panic took place caused by a false
alarm OF fire. The day following the pupils
returned, but many were nervous, and while
the trustees were engaged in reassuring the
pupils, scream started another stampede.
The sub-bOard, for prudential reasons, closed
the schools, and recommended to the Dis
trict Commissioners that an additional STAIR
way be constructed in the building and the
schools be closed until the work Is finished
Accompanying the Export is letter from
Tying 10 the GOODNESS with which the teach
ers acted Cd. ror,...O, Tho, g.. xouou. =,
the inspector in recommending brick Iarti-
tion walls to be erected had caused many to
think that the building was unsafe. 1t was
true that the floors had sag ged, but they
were rot dangerous.
Nj. French moved that the whole matter
be referred 10 the committee on property,
agreed to-yeas 10, nays-Messrs. Brooks,
Ietr:ck, Ferguson. johnson, Mitchell, Ran
nr Crimson inieTed resolution, which
was adopted, That the thanks OF the board
be and are hereby rendered to Mrs VI. h,
Catcher, principal Of The Stevens school
building. and her associate teachers for the
admirable GOODNESS and selfpOssessi on dis
played on the occasion of the recent fire and
subsequent panic at said building.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING FOR THE COUNTY
RECOMMENDED.
MT. Packard, OF the subcommittee OF The
county schools, mace recommendation
that the Commissioners be REQ uested 10 puT-
chase OF Perry Sherwood the parcel Of land
situated on the Rockville turnpike g The
intersection of Pierce'S mills road, contain
ing half an acre, more or less, at cost rot
exceeding SEQ, and that the erection OF a
school building on said lot be commenced at
an early day; referred to committee Ga prop
eTty.
The REPORTS OF THE sUPERINTENDENTs
for the month of January, 1876, were submit
ted. SEOWing-WhOle number of pupils en-
rolled-White-W Washington, 9219; George
town. go; county, 1l3. ColOred-W asLingtOn,
4,24c; Georgetown, Si3; county, 995. Total,
l. ,454. Average number OF pupils in daily
attendance - White - Washington, S,635;
Georgetown, sI5; county, 6S2. ColOred-Wash-
ingtOD, +I-I, Georgetown, S5I; county. $40.
Total. 1C.005. Number of teachers enSplOye l.
White schOOls-Wash ington, 100; George
town. II; county, 10. ColOIed schools
Washington. IS; Georgetown, :; county, Il.
Total, so. Number of cases OF tardineSs-
White schools-WashingtO 355; George
town. -; county, = COlored schools
-. Total, $50 Number of cases of corporal
Observation-Disclosures Observation-Disclosures,
u: Georgetown, lf; county, 9. Coiored
schOOls-W ashington. 90; Georgetown, +;
dismiSsej-W nite- Washington. Il; George
town. ,; county, --. Colored-WashingtOn
8; Georgetown. -; county. Total, Zj.
Mr.. Ryder offered resolution providing
Tor decreased accommodations in the water
closets OF the Anthony Bowen school builG-
ing; adopted.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Mir. Packard. from the committee on prop
eriy, reported, recommending the cOnstruc-
tiOn OF q cisteTn at the white school near the
Soldiers Home; adopted. Also, reported
back resolution offered at the last meeting
by Mr.. EOyey, defining the duties of janitors,
with the statement that IL is deemed inexpe-
dent TO enact regulations of tine kind pro-
posed, believing that the present rule, pre-
sCribiDg the duties OF the principals, ade-
Guate 20 meet the case reported. Also, re-
ported back, without recommendation, the
proposition TO provide the school houses with
SSlamander felting; referred TO the District
Commissioners. Also, made a report con-
corning the resolutions fixing the salaries OF
janitoTs, that ii is deemed inexpedient to in-
terfere with the existing contracts with jauI-
tors during the present school year, and ask
ing further time in which to prepare a Scbed-
ule of salaries, to take effect at the COM
mencement Of the next school ye9r.
Mr.. Hovey urged that the compensation OF
JanltOrs should De changed, as some OF them
were now receiving more pay than grammar
school teachers.
After some debate, in which il was urged
that IL would be unjust to change the pay ct
adopted-Messrs. Brown. Brooks, French,
Hovey and Lloyd voting in the negative.
THE CENTENNIAL.
Mr.. Brown offered q resolution, which was
adopted, chat this board make no further
efforts TO represent the public schools of the
District of Columbia at the centennial expo
sition unless the Commissioners appropriate
necessary funds for the purpose"
EXAMINATION OF COUNTY SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Smith offered a resolution, which was
referred TO the committee on examination,
''that the LeXt annual examination of the
public schools in the county shall occur dur
Ing the month OF April; the particular day in
each ofthe several districts 10 DE determined
by the superintendent and the trustee who
has special supervision OF the district
CHANGE OF NAME OF THE GEORGETOWN
SCHOOL BUILDING.
Mr.. Smith offered a resolution, which was
unanimously adopted, "that the action OF
this board at their meeting May 18th, 1875,
naming the new school building in George
town, THE Georgetown Public School
Building" be rescinded, and that the build
ing be named "TEe Curtis Public School
Building"
Mr.. Curtis said that this compliment took
him by surprise, and had he known IL he
should have asked that the original resolu-
ton remain. He could now only thank the
board.
HIGH SCHOOL NEEDED.
Mr.. Randolph offered resolutions, which
were adopted: THAT in the judgment Of this
board, high school for the white public
schools of this District has become neces-
sary, in order TO afford the graduates of our
grammar schools the advantages of higher
training so generally enjoyed by the pupils
OF public schools IN our large cities, and 10 q
considerable extent already possessed by the
cOlOred public schools OF this city. That the
committee on legislation, in connection with
the general superintendent, be instructed 10
lay the subject before the Commissioners of
the District, and ask their cooperation, in
order TO secure the necessary legislation OF
Congress"
THE STEVENS SCHOOL BUILDING AGAIN.
Mr.. Brooks offered a resolution, which was
adopted: That the action of the sub-board
OF the 9TH district, in closing the Stevens
school building, in consequence of the report
Of the inspector of public buildings that GER
81