The daily gazette., 1878-12-10
The School BOARD.


LED THROUGH, ETC.
The loquaciouS School Boari met in
regular session, last evening, and occu-
pied over two hours in the disDosal of
business and discussion of various sub
jects.
The arithmetic question first came up
on question from Mr.. Kent as to wheth-
or Brooks Union Arithmetic had been
en'lrely superseded by the New Ameri-
can, or was still on the list of books.
Mr.. Baird moved in order to settle the
question, that Brooks Union Arithmetic
part two, be continued ON the list of text
books. Adopted.
On motion Uf Mr.. Palmer, the rules
were suspended, and Mr.. Alfred ID. Poole
menber-elect from the First Ward, rice
Ihomas johnson, resigned, was qualified
and took his seat as member of the
Board
The Finance Committee reported
school takes for 1878 amounting TO S2S6 "a
ln the hands of the City Treasurer, which
amount was directed to be drawn. Taxes
Tor 1877, amounting to $50, were directed
to be paid to the city, the latter having
advanced to the Board the amount OF un.
collected school takes for 1877.
The chair appointed Mr.. Poole q men,
Der OF the visiting committees of Nos.
III and IL, and of the committee on sale of
Old school No. ID.
DR.. Glimshaw's resolution to strike out
Law . OF the laws of the Board, was next
considered. The law is as follows:
Nv henever any member of the Board
shall not give due attention to the duties
OF his office, either by neglectng to at
tend three consecutive stated meetings of
The Board, without reasonable excuse for
his absence. or by failing for two conse-
cutive months, to discharge his duty as a
visiting committee, without like excuse
for such failure, it shall be the duty of
the Board TO declare his seat vacant, and
proceed to ill 1t, as in case Of other va
cancies."
DR.. Grimshaw said the law was an
absurdity, and couli not be enforced. 1t
had been trit d in Philadelphia where
member of the Board had taken a bribe
from lady, in consideration of securing
her position as teacher ,and was expell-
ed. The courts reinstated him and ruled
that the Board had now power to expel a
member.
The resolution was adopted.
The chair announced the following as
the committee raised by Mr.. Baird's reso-
luton, adopted at the last meeting to re-
wise the chart er of the Board: Messrs.
Baird, Speakman, Kent, Pyle and Nor
row.
On motion of Mr.. Speakman, the Presi
dent WAS added to the committee.
The chair called attention 10 the lack
OF modations at school No. Ii
Howard schooD and said that unless the
school Is enlarged, further promotions OF
pupils to higher grades will be impossible
He said plan had been prepared for the
addition of room to the front part OF
the school at cost of S400.
After discussion, the subject was re-
ferred to No. Ii committee, with instruc-
tions to report plans of the proposed en-
,argement, and the cost of the same.
On motion of Mr.. Baird, the action of
No. committee in contracting bill OF
$40 81, for chemicals to bo used at the
school was approved.
Various school repairs were ordered.
The chair presented a communication
| from the Chicago Board of Education,
requesting cooperation in the attempt
| for the reform of English spelling, in ac.
cordance with the efforts of the Ameri.
| can Pathological Association.
Mr.. Speakman moved that a committee
| be appointed to examine into the subject
| and report thereon.
The motion theu prevailed, and the
char appointed Messrs. Speakman, Pyle
| and Grimshaw as the committee.
The chair stated that at the request ot
| several members he had prepared a re.
1
members of the Board to the Chester
schools. The report stated that the
schools of Chester were no larger than
| those of Wilmington, but the study rooms
were more capacious, though they lacked
| that general air of cheertulness impaired
| to the school rooms of this city by pic.
lures and engraviDgs on the walls and at
| tractive drawings on the blackboards
Only one of the Chester schools is heated
| hy ra nl ha hni Iii oil liffih hlxy
located. The teachers, excepting the
Principal OF the High School, are ladies'
and appear to have the 2500 pupils under
good control. The brief eXaminatl ons
held were excellent, and favorably i'm.
pressed the visitors with the proficiency
of the scholars. The progress ofthe pupils
was greatly facilitated by prizes known
as the "roll of honor" "star roll of hon.
or" and "double or golden star roll OF
| honor" given for one, two and three
mouths, respectively, of merltorious
work. The third honor entitled the
pupils to have their names written on
| the blackboard and published i'll the city
newspapers. This plan has the effect OF
melting the pupils to unusual diligence
Not so much attention is paid to calls
themes and music as lu the Wilmington
schools, but still the exercises in these
branches were quite interesting, espe-
/ CldltN III bnC CbiOlOh oShooib WhCio oNiN.H's
of the larger girls gave some vocal selec-
tions by note that were really excellent
Mr.. Belts moved that the proper Off
GERS be- notified to warn out the present
tenants of old school No. 13, on Second
street, near Washington, before the 25th
inst, in order that the Board may, II
deemed advisable, open a school there
to relieve the pressure of applications
for admission to No. 3. Adopted.
On Mr.. Furry's motion, Mrs. Lizzie
Brown was appointed janitress of the
Seventh District, comprising schools Nos.
IA and 18, at a salary of $3.50 per an
mum.
Mr.. Belts offered resolution instruct
ing the Secretary to collect all the deeds,
bonds, mortgages and other official pa
pers of the Board, (exceptthe Treasurers
bond, which is to remain in the custody
of the Pres;dent) and place them in the
| hre proof safe In the Board room. Adopt
| ed.
| Mr.. Baird stated that a previous search
| for these papers had revealed the fact
that the deeds for two or three school
properties were missing
Mr.. Speakman called attention to the
fact that the continued illness of the
Treasurer, VIM. II. Cloward, rendered it
nece ,sary to have some person author
| lied to sign the checks in his stead.
After considerable discussion it was
learned that the rules authorized the