Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-11

The session Just closed commenced October
Sd with an enrolment of 2514 pupils. |
believe the number would have been greater
bat for the report that the public schools
would not open until November.
Many parents whose children had been
unemployed already four months could not
bear the thought of adding another month 10
This long term OF ldlenesS, and consequently
sent them to private schools. l therefore
hope that the board will take such action TO-
night as will leave no doubt in the mind of
the public ON this subject.
The secretarv's report shows that the total
expenses of the schools for the scholastic
wear closing July ], 1882, were S44, 265 IS.
OF this sum Sl79S was expended for perma-
nent repairs, leaving $42,467 as the usual
current expenses. Your receipts from all
sources were $50, AGO. You have paid
a deficit of S25l94, which leaves an
Indebtedness of $4,000. This indebt-
edness will be reduced by whatever sum
may be collected between now and the
day the schools resume, less officers salaries.
Last vacation collections amounted TO $l3,-
767. The proportion of the school fund for
the city this Session was based upon a school
astic population of 9745. With the last
enumeration Of 11,242-the largest since
1878 as the basis for next session, the board
ought then to receive at least $4,000.
In this connection l herewith present
cOnpdFdtlye tdUle OI eApehses loT ten COLI
secutive years, including the present.
While the low rate OF attendance and
puuctuality in some Of the schools for part
of the session was almost inexcusable, / am
glad 10 report that strict attention on the
part of majority of the principals and
teachers has raised the total average over
that of last year. Absence and hardness
are insidious evils. They not only
handicap the pupil in his race for excellence
al, Ia
habits that become his second nature in ma
turer years, when himsy excuses and lenient
teachers cannot no longer come to his rescue.
1 alluded briefly to this subject in my last
annual report and invoked the aid OF the
parents Ia behalf of the teachers, and
though our gain in this respect indicates that
the petition has not been in vain, yet feel
that too much cannot be said IN opposition
to the evils named. We cannot reasonably
expect the unsystematic pupil of o-day to |
become the methodical business men of to- !
morrow, and 1 renew my appeal that all in
terested may fully realize the necessity for a !
proper and prompt observance of the rules |
and details incident to the management of |
schools. L also invite the public tc visit the |
schools oftener, and thereby open a way ior |
closer association. Such course would en-
courage the pupils, promote cooperation be-.
tween parents and teachers-thus advance
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
AT the opening of the present session, The
pupils of the Smith, Peabody and Kortrecht
schools were delighted to find that these
buildings had been thoroughly repaired in
side and out, and as evidence of their gratI-
ude for your considerable provision, they
nave exerIed themselves 10 PTolong their in
Titing appearance. As this is the FIRST time
hat any extended repairs have been made
1n-these buildings since their erection, about
EN- years ago, in ali probability the outlay
lpon them for an equal time in the future
Will be small, if any. Some repairs were made
IN the Leath school also, but this building is
low very much in need of plaster in every
DOM TO render If even ordinarily comforts BILE !
md would be stiil more improved by VAIN
coting. The same statement is applicable
o the Monroe street school and TO some OF
he rooms of the Merrill school, notwithstand-
ng the expenditure last year by the owner,
Mr.. kney, in supplying the more per-
nanent i'm provements The Jefferson school
s comfortable, but its capacity is not sutfi-
lent for that district. in addition to the
buildings already mentioned We have had
he following in operation this session: Win
hester, johnson avenue, Saffarans street,
nd extra room opposite the Kortrecht
chool. These may all be properly denomi-
lated expedlencies, unsuitable IN nearly
very respect for school purposes. The ex-
,erience OF my predecessors, as well as my
wn, strongly convinces me of the inutility |
t renting rooms in neighboring houses
artly occupied by others, auxiiaries to
1ain buildings, for if they are not sus-
ended on account of some contagious dis
ase they otherwise exercise demoralizing
5huence upon the schools which they are
Intended to relieve. 1 am equally pro-
ounced in expressing my opinion in oppo-
tion to the plan OF establishing schools,
18th only two o. three teachers, in different
1calilies, and recommend that one building
e secured sufficiently large for the accom-
rotation of colored pupils in the northern
ortion of the city. In no organization ia
ne adsge that Gin unity there is strength"
lore applicable than in schools, for in small l
,hools proper grading is impossible, classes 7
re necessarily multiplied, and in the same c
alto the efficiency of the teacher is impaired. |
will be seen, then, that although the build
lgs belonging to the city are in better con-
ition than at any other period except when
-ecied, our chief wants are schoolhouses '
I'D furniture for pupils residing in other t
stricts. Besides the inuumerable expenses I
II temporary facilities attending the Use OF a
nted property. to say nothing of the expense 4
r possible litigation, whether suits are
lined or lost, you are paying a yearly
ntal of s2l97, which, at six per