The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-08-08
An Interesting and Lively Meeting CT
;ha Board Of Education Last
Night.
During Which The Question Of the
Election of a SupeFintend-
emf was the Bone Of
Contention.
Prof. Fitzpatrick, Of ST. Louis, Che
sen-An Acrimonious Debate.


icing absent.
Mr.. Swan, chairman OF the Committee
III Teachers and Salaries, read the follow
ng report:
70 The Eoard.gJ E3Ucaiioa, Learcao,rts, h n
sds:
GENTLEMEN in presenting the report
II INV action, under the resolution OF the
Board passed at lis last meeting, desire TO
briefly review the situation OF affairs which
makes this report necessary. Nearly four
months ago, the Committee on Teachers
and Salaries commenced receiving applca-
tions fo- the position 0; Superintendent oil
our Schools. applications and testimonials
were received from about thirty different
gentlemen, from various parts Of the coun-
Try, nearly every applicant being superin-
tendent of a school, in some town OF irom
one TO five thousand inhabitants.
The Committee were particularly struck
with the fact that each OF the gentlemen
had the highest testimonials from various
sources. And If the recommendations were
to be believed, each of these applicants was
fully competent TO superlniend almost any
system OF schools in the country but unfor-
tunately none OF them had acquired prom
inence in their profession, nor had COLI
manded any position which would indicate
more than ordinary ability.
Alter giving the matter thorough and
careful attention, and aching under the
idea that the Board would not pay more
than fifteen hundred dollars per year, the
Committee stated the facts in report 10
the Board, which was in substance that We
II 81 m Ill
teen hundred dolars, and 1.-THE Board desired
to paw only that sum, We made recon-
incubation Of the man We believed best fit
ted io- the position. Ihat report was iully
discussed and considered by the Board, laid
over from one Meeting 10 another, until
majority oi the Eoard came TO thu conclu-
sion that we could not afford 10 have a
second-class Ran, as Superintendent OF our
Schuo : and knowing that testimonials
were ordinarily OF little value, they be
Iieyed that If we could obtain 4 man whom
Prof. Harris, OF ST. Louis, would unquali-
fedIv recommended man whose work he
knew: and would feel himself responsible
| for the result, that We could confidently
place such man in charge OF our schools.
| The resolution under which | visited St.
| Louis, was the result OF these views. | hes
itated fox some time about going, and only
went after majority Of the Board had eX.
| pressed their desire that | should go, and
had stated that they believed it to be for
the interest Of the schools, TO pay a good
man two Thousand dollars, even If the time
of having school was shortened enough &c
make the difference IN pay. Under this
state of affairs, proceeded TO st. Loui:
| with little expectation of success. After
giving Prof Harris a full statement Of the
history and condition Of the schools
| he recommended two men from among
the supervising principals Of the ST
| Louis schools as thoroughly competent
| for the position. He stated that they were
men of wonderful tact, and success. Mer
who had no superiors, in his knowledge, in
supervising thirty or forty teachers, and
bringing, universally, good results from
their schools, The men so recommended
were Profs. Hall and Fitzpatrick. Prof
| Hall was absent, and in reply TO a telegram
| stated he would come TO Leavenworth for
| three thousand dollars per year. / then
visited Prof. Fitzpatrick, and induced him
| TO come for the sum Of two thousand and
| fifty dollars per year. Prof. Fitzpatrick
/ is a graduate OF the ST. Louis High School
and OF the Washington University; is thir
ty years OF age; has been principal in St
Louis for seven years; is now supervising
principal OF three schools, having thirty
| five teachers under his charge, and as many
| scholars rs We have in the Leavenworth
schools. / enclose herewith a statement
from Prof Harris regarding Mr.. Fitzpat
rick. / asked Prof. Harris in what Mr.
| Fitzpatrick particularly exceiled? Hi
| taa.har no ba,
the capacity, no matter how young or mex
perienced, bringing good results from thei
schools; in other words, training them TO b,
good teachers" l think this will impres:
the members OF the Board as being JUS
what we need in the Superintendent of oul
schools. Our old experienced teachers arr
leaving US, and We are paying too small
| salaries 10 bring teachers here from abroad
We need Superintendent who has th,
training, the tact, and who has been edu
Gated TO make teachers. Without such a
man it il not possible TO keep our school,
up 70 even fair standard. In view Of al
these facts, recommend that the BoarC
elect Prof. Frank A. Fitzpatrick Superin
| tendent Of our schools. II. NJ. SWAN,
Chairman Committee on Teachers ant
| Salaries.
DIR. Viewers motion that the report b,
received and adopted was carried, aftel
which Mr.. Swan gave in detail his inter
view with Professor Harris, Superintendent
OF the public schools OF St. Louis.
Mr.. FIesher asked that the law authoriz
ing the Old Board TO elect Superintendent
be read, which was done.
Mr.. Swan thought it best that the old
Board elect the Superintendent, since 1t wa:
better qualified TO do this on account OF the
| experience OF Its members, and being bet
ter acquainted with the merits Of the sever
| al candidates than the members OF the new
Board could possibly be.
Mr.. Wilson was Of the opinion that the
old Board had no right 10 el,ct.
Mr.. GRANGER said it was in bad taste and
| showed want Of courtesy 10 the new Board
I to select a Superintendent, seeing as the
| new Board would come in in two DAYS.
DIR. Medley had understood from good le-
| gal authority that the old Board had nc
right to elect.
DIR. Viewer said that was not the intent
of the law.
Mr.. Wilson said that in all probable
ity il Superintendent were elected by the
old Board, he would be rejected by the new
one
Mr.. Flesher thought it best 10 postpone
the matter OF the election for the promotion
OF harmony in the board.
DR.. Callahan could see no reason for
postponement. The Board had the prece,
dent 10 go by that all preceding Boards
had elected Superintendents before the
coming in OF the new Board.
DR.. Medley spoke in favor OF the postpone
ment OF the election.
The debate then became general, being
very sharp and causiic upon the part Of
some OF the members.
A vote being called, Prof Fitzpatrick re-
ceiyed seven votes, Prof. Wherrell one, two
not voting.
A motion TO reconsider the vote was laid
| on the table.
Mr.. Swan moved that the salary of the
new superintendent be fixed at S2,O5O per
annum. Carried; Messrs Akin, Callahan,
Few, Viewer, Flesher, Medley, Taylor and
Swan voting in the affirmative. and Messrs.
GRANGER and Wilson in the negative.
DIR. Neeley's notice of a motion 10 recon-
slider the vote on the salary question at the
| next meeting, was not entertained by the
| chair.
After the transaction Of some other bust
ness, the Board adjourned until tomorrow
evening.
THE streets presented an unusually live
" appearance yesterday.