The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-26

/ HOLIDAY NEXT wEEK-APPLlCATloN FOR A
NEW SCHOOL At ROCKETS, &C.
A meeting OF the City School Board was
held Yesterday afternoon in the Higf-Schooi
building. Present Messrs. A. n. Kelley,
NJ. L. Straus. G. P. Rady, w. b. Scott a.
r. Courtney, James II. Peay, superln-
tendent OF schools, and Alfred Moses, Sec
retary.
On motion OF Mr.. Straus, in the absence
Of Mayor Darlington, Mr.. Kelley was IN:
vitcd to preside.
| The Secretary read the monthly report Of
the Superintendent OF Schools, which was
ordered to be filed. The report shows the
enrolment for the month (white schools to
| be 3,702; average attendance, $3.50; en-
rolment to date, 3,775. Colored schools,
Enrolment for month, 2,111; average at
ten ndance, 2,161.7. Enrolmentfo the month,
2,299. Total white and colored enroll
ment, 5,913; average attendance, 5,74l.1;
enrolment to date, G,O74. The Superin-
tendent says that he has made 1872 visits to
| the schools during the month. The schools
are generally in good condition. Ihe
teachers are enthusiastic in their worK, and
the children regular and prompt in their
attendance. The Superintendent urges
upon the members Of the Board to visit the
schools frequently.
The Chair laid before the Board the usual
reports Of the secretary and supervisor OF
school property, which were received and
filed. ......s ~ +
The Chair laid before the Board CON-
munication from Mayor Darlington; presi.
dent OF the Board, in reference to supplying
children. whose parents are unable to do so
by reason Of their poverty, with school
books.
Superintendent Pcay stated that the Board
had never given him any instructions in re-
gard to the matter, and he had great dltfi-
Guilty in deciding where the line should be
drawn. Already large sum OF money bad
| been expended in books (about 5000 for
children whose parents were believed to be
unable to buy books.
The Superintendent further said that he
bad, as general thing, declined to furnish
books to any child whose father was living,
and he had endeavored. as far as possible,
to furnish no books to undeserving persons.
Several OF the secret orders had applied to
the Board for books for children whose
parents were aided by such orders in other
wavs. These secret orders claimed that
under the law the School Board was COM
pelled to furnish the books for the poor
children.
The matter was left TO the discretion OF
| the superintendent.
Mr.. Scott moved that the public schools
be closed two days next week, so as to let
the children, teachers, and all go tue EAR
and to see the President. He named we'd
nesday and Thursday as the two best days.
The Chair protested. lie felt sure that
parents would prefer that their children be
kept at school. He could see no reason why
the Board should depart from the estab-
lished rulc-viz., to give one days holiday
only. :.
One member said he had pledged himself
to young lady to vote for two days.
Another member thought that the occa-
sion would be an unusual one, and he was
OF opinion that the schools should be closed
two days.
A proposition was made to close the
schools Thursday and Friday.
Mr.. Kelley objected TO that proposition,
as it would give four consecutive days for Il
frolic, and he thought it would be ln1url-
ous to the schools.
Mr.. Peay proposed that the schools be
opened on wednesday up to y O'Clock, and
give the children the balance OF that day
and Thursday; but that proposition did
not meet with favor. + -.--
The Board decided finally to close the
schools on Wednesday and Thursday-Mr.
Kelley voting in the negative.
a communication from number or COL
ored citizens of Rockets was read asking
for school accommodations in that locality
for their children. -- ........
The subject was referred TO the. Commit
tee on Schools, &c. >; the school to be sup
piled as soon as the finances OF the Board
will admit Of it.
Adjourned.