Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-05
THE OLD AND NEW.
THE OLD BOARD OF EDUCATION DIES
PRESENTATION.
The New Board Grapples with Vita
Proposition at the Outset.

blower, Lord. Butler aud Stalker.
The committee to which was referred the Super
ntendent's annual report reported that there were
many errors in the report and that while 1t con
tanned many useful suggestions and much interest
ing statistical matter, yet the superintendent en-
tertains very erroneous impression in regard to
the retirement of Mr.. Mcdonald from the Sacra-
mento Grammar School, and that the superintend-
eut is unjust in his sttsmpt to cast reflections upon
and place the Board Of Education in false posi-
ton in connection with that matter The COM
mittee added that because Of the SUPERINTENDENT
relationship OF brother-in-law to Mr. Mcdonald, il
could readily understand Why his feelings have con-
trOied his better judgment and that therefore the
Board and public should east the mantle OF charity
upon his effort IN defense OF one with whom he Is
SO allied. They recommended that the SuperIn-
tendent5 report be filed.
Mr.. Hornblower, of the committee, declined to
concur, no meeting Of the committee had been
called and he had had time to prepare written
minority report
The Superintendent protested that he should
have specification Of the alleged errors furnished
to him He explained All error in the financi- /
statement, and disclaimed ful responsibility
therefor, as the Finance COMMITTEE had not been
able in time TO give hiui ali the figures necessary.
After a rather sharp debate between Mr.. Tracy, OF
the committee, aud the Superintendent and Mr..
HoTnbIower, the Board referred the committee re-
port the Finance Committee to specify the errors.
The Old Board was then abou TO adjourn sine die,
when Mr.. Landes arose ard preseL ted Mr.. Horn
blower, in behalf OF many friends, with an elegant
gold watch, appropriately inscribed, testimonial
Of esteem au regard for the the bvld aud consele
tious stand he had taken while Director foi what
he believed be the right and in the advancement
of the IN terests Of the public schools.
Mr. HornblCwer replied with feeling, and said
that he had been bold in his criticisms, and no
doubt often too severe but his only motive had been
IL f.f1 a ~
the interests OF the people, The people OF his ward
had elected gentleman TO his place, Mr. Mesick,
whom ne knew to be better qualified than he HIM
self and he felt the interests OF the department
would not suffer at his hands To the citizens who
had presented him with the testimonial he returned
his sincere thanks. He should cherish the gift as
manifesting the appreciation with which his
effort to discharge his duty had met at the hands OF
the public. With further feeling remarks and
kindly expressions toward all the members OF the
Board he concluded.
The Board then recousidered the motion referring
back the report On the superintendent annual re-
port adopted the majority report and ordered the
superintendent report to be filed.
Mr.. Giffitts, the President, then thanked the
members Tor their uniform courtesy towards the
Chair, and the Board then adjourned sine die.
Immediately the Superintendent called the new
Board together and the credentials OF Messrs But
Ter, Tracy. Hammer, Mesick and Herzog were filed
and the Board organized by electiDg, motion OF
Mr.. Butler, Felix Tracy as President Of the Board
MI Tracy, III taking we cnar, returned his
thanks for the honor conferred and trusted that the
relations of the members of the Board would be
pleasant and all the proceedings Of the body har-
m9nious.
The Board now constituted consists of :
Directors, First Ward -Messrs. Wiemeyer and Me-
sickl second wari-Messrs Stalker and Herzog;
Third Ward-Messrs. Lord and Hammer; Fourth
Ward Messrs Tracy and Butler,
The President annou- ced these standing COM
mittees
Finance-Lord, Whenever, Mesick
Buildings and Repairs-Butler, Stalker, Hammer
Furniture and supplies Hammer, Wemeyer,
Herzog.
Rules and Regulations Stalker, Lord, Butler.
Course of Study-Mesick, Herzog, Hammer.
LIbrary-Wiemeyer, Lord, Mesck.
Salaries-H erzog, Butler, Stalker.
A communication was received from Louise Louit
asking that teacher of French in the High School
be appointed, and protesting that the teaching of
German and French should give employment to two
persons She announced herself a candidate for
the position of teacher of French
Mrs. NJ. A Cook flied complaint against Mrs
Seymour teacher, for whipping her son " in
brutal manner, ard tearing off his clothes, SO he
was sick for several days" Also for snspendng him
without cause.
Mr. Mesck hoped TIE charge would be referred
to Director, TO investigate and report the facts,
and that the Board would not have any examna-
ton before it Board with witnesses and public
reports, and all such proceedings, which he deemed
all wrong in cases where quiet, accurate inquiry
The SupeTi. teudent stated that it was reportedto
him that the boy had been punished for running
away.
The Board unanimously voted to refer the charges
to the Superintendent to investigate and report.
The Superin tendent made requisition Tor sup
plies Tor school houses, and the same granted,
but the article Of ink, reference had to the
Committee on Furniture ard Supplies.
Mir. Butler moved thar the Principal Of the High
School, the Principals Of the grammar schools and
the PR repa Of the intermediates and primaries be
in conjunction with the Committee on
Course Of udy, TO regrade their classes on the basis
Of sch Harsh p.
The Su periutendent opposed regarding suddenly,
and setting back for year the slower pupils, but
did favor division Of classes, that there shall be
less or no disparity between the pupils. Absolute
-egrading was premature now, and would result III
iiscou aging many pupils.
Mr.. Butler said his intention was in making the
motion TO have division only, and not regradin,
as generally understood.
Mr.. Bowel, OF the Sacramento Grammar School,
the Board read the report of standings in
his school aud pointed out the necessity for least
a partial regarding. He did not complain that the
pupils are unwilling or incompetent, but that the
work required of them has been too great i'll several
studies and that the suggestion to drop some back
will not work injury to them.
The superintendent again opposed dropping any
pupils back, but favored division SO as to lei the ad
vauced pupils 20 On
Mr. Tracy said it was better to regrade now and
give the poorer scholars five months to come up,
aud not delay the better ones by holding them back
even with the slow pupils. 1t Was better to regrade
now than 90 to the end OF the year ard then the
slow pupils have to be dropped back and cannot
gam ground Tor year.
Mr. johnson, OF the Capital School, said fifteen
cut Of thirty in his class would at the end Of the
school year have be dropped if for, ed struggle
on for five months more with the advanced pupils.
The same rule nearly prevails in The lower CRATES.
Mr. talker-How comes it that these pupils were
graduated into these grades in The first place?
sir. JOhns0n-SOme were recommended by teach
ers came in o. eXaminatlon-thet truth IS, most
Il the pupils in the grammar grades too young
flr tbs work, A pupil may be very bright in the
f urth and very dull in the third grade.
Mr. Mesick-I believe that to be correct re-
mark as TO the age Of pupils.
Mr. Wiemeyer-It seems to me this is plan to
enable teachers to make fir shOwingat the annual
examination, and have only fTst-class scholars for
the graduating classes. Let the pupils 20 on, and
il thew fail let them 20 back even ii the teacher has
to bear the dscredit Of many falling in his class.
Mr. Mesick aid he was bitterly opposed To fore
j = the child with study; he would favor all steps
to make the work easier.
hlr. Tracy cOncurred. He said semiannual eX-
amiuations could not be entered On without recon-
struc,iug the course Of study Hence he favored
dividing classes now. Il was not to be done by
teachers, but BY the four Principals and mint
tee IF the Board.
Mr. Rowell-I don't bel eve twenty out of eighty
in my class car be graduated, but don't want that
to go to the public, it might discourage scholars
slr Mesck-Why II t! Why shouldn't the pub
lie know it? That's b en- the trouble that the pub
lie has not had knowledge enough.
Mr. J1hnspn-Some Of my pupils were two years
In the second grade, some two years in the third.
some came mp under the old rule, that two years
one grade entities them to come up By reason
thereof.
MIR Whenever insisted that it q scheme to
enable teachers to make fine showing at the end
of he school year.
The Superintendent said teachers cannot be en-
trev disinterested and people could say this plan
was in their int rest and the proposition therefore
would place the teachers at q disadvantage
Mt Nesick thought all credit for graduating a
division Of class ould be offset by the very fact
that division was set off that could not be grad
uated
The Superintendent again explained that he OPP
p sed ouly dropping from grade to grade. not to
setting back to the beginning Of the same grade the
pupils are now in He believed it necessary to di-
vide and set pu lis back to get new light and go
the ground again. but not to set the pupil back
10 a lower grade-a whole year.
Mr.. Roweil said the Superintendents plan would
double the teachers work, and hence rob the adj
yaneed division Of half the time due it.
Mr.. Tracy-Th first and second divisions IN each
class have the same studies.
The Superintendent insisted his plan did not
double the teachers work They have only so
many scholars to teach and hear recite anyhow
Mr.. Whenever said last year nearly a whole gram-
mar grade failed Now the plan is to save the
teachers. Let 90 and see il the scholars are dun
or the teacher incompetent, or the studies too
grest-l-t us judge by the result.