The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-13
THE TROUBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
Superintendent Tarbell Denies Having APP
pointed Incompetent Teachers.

A special meeting of the school board called
to consider the plans for the erection of the
new school buildings, was held last night. I'M
mediately after the board was called to order
the following written statement was presented
to the board by Superintendent Tarbell;
To the Board OF School Commissioners of the City
OF indianapolis
Conference.-The discovery not long since that the
history of the of the rebellion had been taught
in the schools of this city for about ten years past has
caused much commotion in the public mind, and led
to an agitation which has done the schools much
harm This omission having been rectfied and the
connection Herewith Of the several parties response
bic being well understood I do not desire to make
further reference thereto than to state that
serious question affecting the schools has arisen
theretrom. This is contained in the following ex-
tract from card in the Evening News from Assistant
superintendent j. J. Mills: Whatever want Of
diaty has existed between 1.-THE superintendent and
the ASSISTANT had its origin IN my refusal to ndorse
the superintendent nominations of teachers for posi-
tons in our schools whose ineompetency he fully adj
mitted, but whose appointment, he urged. must be
MADE, because prominent member of the board de-
sired it."
This language has been mistakenly made the basis
OF unfounded charges against the school board,
which it is the object of this paper to
remove. just Interpretation will show
that Mr. Mills to imply that the superintendent
had nominated incompetent teachers, but that MIR.
Mills did not intend to charge that this had been done
with the Knowledge sanction of any member Of the
board On inquiry of Mr.. Mills learn, and have
been requested by him to state at all times and places,
that his meaning precisely this and nothing
For my own part l am ready to state and do here
most emphaticaly state that member of the board
has ever asked, much less urged TO recommend for
appointment any teacher whom l supposed,
eved 0 Incompetent S desso" to suppose well ne the
position to which he recommended him or her. | do
not assume III this paper to answer this charge which
wish understood is personal to myself. The inves
tgation which have asked will be the proper place
for this response. But l before this board
and before the public the responsibility for every
nomination have made. have consulted members
OF the board fully as to appointments, as in duty
bound to do. l Nave refused members of the
board know, to recommend the appointment Of teach
ers to positions l did not deem them adapted to
fill. have persisted in demanding the
retirement of teachers who had and still have
friends among influential members of the board The
nominations made have usually been made with the
full concurrence of my assistants, with whom have
freely conferred cases of disagreement sometimes
have yielded my own judgment to their advice;
times they have been convinced by my own state
ments. Sometimes [ have taken the responsibility of
acting my Judgment, contrary to their advice,
frequently, however,, stating to the committee
the appointment of teachers and salaries. The wis
dom unwisdom of these nominations is best proven
by visit to the schools and an impartial observation
of the work there done.
IL. s. TARBELL Superintendent.
In relation to the power of the school commits
sioners to contract for the building of school
houses, SO that the payment thereof may be be-
yond any existing school or fiscal year. the opin-
ion by Harrison, Hines Miller & Elan was
presented to the effect that subdivision 5
of section of the organizing act of 1871
confers the power to contract for the con
struction of such buildings upon credit, and
the board will be bound to future payments.
The power to'borrow money is limited, but the
limitation does not affect the power to construct
school buildings. There is no doubt that per
sons contracting to build sehool-house and fur
nishing labor and materials upon credit would
have valid claims against the board, and it would
be authorized to execute promissory notes in evil
dence thereof
A resolution was adopted referring the matter
of the construction of the new school buildings
back to the committee on buildings and grounds,
with instructions for them to write proposals,
the bids to be received not later than Friday,
the 2lst of March, and to be submitted to the
board at its next regular meeting. The pay
ments on the work, the resolution provided,
shall be made at the option of the board, either
in cash as the work progresses, upon the certif-
Gates Of the person in charge of the construction,
or 80 per cent. of the estimates in
cash. and the remainder on the
LIST of July. 1856, bearing ) per cent interest
Contractors may bid upon either or both of the
plans, specifying the terms of payment upon
which the bid is made.
Prof. j. ]. Mills, assistant superintendent of
the public schools presented his resignation, to
take effect at the end of the present month,
when he will become president of Earlham Col
lege. By vote of to 4, action upon the resig
nation was postponed until the next meeting.