Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-21
Board of Educatton.

Board of Education. Contracts Awarded for the Lloyd
 Street School BufIding-Interestin
 Discussion Regarding the Proposed BiIl Relating to SchOOls-ResignAtiOn of General Walker.
 A regular meeting of the Board of Educa tion was held last evening. Present, Messrs. Welch fpresiding), zunder, Bushnell, Sweeney and GiIe.
 The Committee on School Buildings report ed that the contracts had been awarded for the Lloyd street school house, and work had been commenced.
 MT. GiIe said the frame of the Hallock street school building was up and it was part Iy sheathed. He thought four rooms in it would be ready for occupancy without doubt on the first of next May. In regard to the I Lloyd street building, he doubted whether it would be ready for occupancy before the first of September.
 MT. WeIch reported for the Finance Com mittee that all bills were paid to date, and he i thought there was money sufficient to bridge over the first of March.
 | letter was read from General Walker, dated at Washington. in which the General stated that owing to business engagements at | the Capitol he felt 1t his duty to tender his resignation as member of the Board of Edu- | cation.
 The letter was ordered on file and the Gen erals resignation was accepted. | Mir. Welch stated that when he received General Walkers letter he took the liberty to re- | y, expressing his regrets at the Generals re- | signation and stating that he believed this was ! the general sentiment of every member of the Board. The Board approved of MT. Welch's reply.
 The bill before the Legislature regarding the appointment of commissioners to decide upon the qualifications of teachers in the pub lie schools was taken up and discussed.
 Mir. Gile said he had talked with Secretary Northrop about the bill and had been told by
 "optional." MT. Gile said he had not been able to learn what an optional bill was. He did not believe in any bill that did not define precisely and absolutely what should and what should not be done under it's provisions.
 MT. Bushnell said it appeared to him that the State Board of Education was self-per- petuating concern. It was evident that the
 proposed bill was intended to take the control l the schools entirely out of the hands of the
 people, where it rightfully belonged. There are some new schemes coming up all the
 time, and the tendency was to go beyond the
 sentiment of the community, which was all |
 wrong.
 Superintendent Parish said he did not in-
 tend to go forward and present anything that | was detrimental to the interests of the public
 schools in New Haven. He said when he
 went to Hartford and appeared before the
 committee it was purely incidental. He did
 not go purposely to advocate the bill and in
 fact told them that it would never stand in it's
 then shape before the Legislature. He said he had never intended to compromise the
 New Haven Board of Education in any way.
 MT. Sweeney said he did not know what
 bearing the Board had upon MT. Northrop
 that they should say anything for or against
 him. He understood that this bill did mol
 originate in the educational council, but he
 understood that it originated by person who
 is under the direction of this Board. He sta. ) ted that he saw MT. Robertson at Hartford and he (Robertson) told him that there wal
 no use in opposing the bill, as MT. Parish had
 been up there and advocated the bill before the committee. After showing to MT. Rob
 ertson the damaging effects of the bill on the
 educational interests of New Haven, he (Robertson) went before the committee anG
 opposed it. Mir. Sweeney in conclusion , moved that the Board go into committee ot
 the whole and give parties employed by thil Board an opportunity to come in and state
 their grievances. He thought MT. Parisl
 should also have an opportunity to defend
 himself from charges that had been made l | against him.
 I MT. G1le said that Mir. Parish had denied . that he went to Hartford to advocate the bill while others say he did. He thought ths whole matter should be cleared up. , Mr. Bushnell said he did not think it wal necessary to stir up this matter at the presen time.
 Mir. Zunder said that the superintendent ) had stated his side of the case and he believed | that he told the truth.
 f Mir. Parish said if any charges had beer v l made by any one against this Board he would like to know what the charges are and wht r made them.
 l MT. Gile said that the Board was competen to ascertain who the persons were and wha 7 ! the charges were that were made. The motion of MT. Sweeney was changed so as to make it read that ''any person in tht employ of the district who has made any charges against the management of this Boarl and in advocacy of the present bill, be invited to appear before this Board one week iron
 this evening and make known their griev- ances."
 The Board instructed Secretary Day to no 3 tify parties to appear on next Friday evening 7 when special meeting will be held. Ad . | journed.