Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-17
THE HIGH SCHOOL PRoJECT.
Speech of Hon. j. A. Miller, in the Board OF
Education Last Might

The resolution of the Committee on High
School, recommending that all the grsmma
schools of the city be consolidated, coming
up as unfinished business, Mr.. Miller said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The Board has been
called upon several times during the past
few years to consider propositions to estsb
lish high school in the district. Each
proposition was rejected BY decisive ma
jority.
Our system of grammar schools through
out the city has been deemed convenient
and sufficient to furnish as high and thor
ough an education as the community de-
sires, and therefore has rendered unneces-
sary the expense of building and equipping
bis h schools. No complaint has heretofore
been made of lack Of efficiency or want Of
economy in conducting the schools.
The special committee, whose report lie
now before US, recommend the abolishmen,
of these grammar schools, and the estsb-
lishment Of high school, for the alleged rea-
son that greater efficiency ard economy
would thereby be attained.
Let US consider the matter OF efficiency OF
the seven Grammar schools. They have
been conducted for several years past by
fourteen teachers, with the assistance OF the
seven Principals whenever needed. The
highest attendance Of pupils during the past
year was about 430, the average attendance
$50, the number of regular studies thirteen
With such large corps of excellent teach
ers, no pupil among the 43O could have
failed to receive proper instruction and
careful attention. There can be no better
proof or surer index of the efficiency Of
these schools than is shown in thepercentsge
attained in their studies by the graduating
class, numbering thirty The average per
centage was go. The lowest per cent: il
the class was SO, the highest 81. Thu
showing will compare favorsbly with
any high school in the land
Now as to the economy of high school 10
comparison with our present system. On
this point the committee furnish state
ment of expenses Of the present and pro
posed system" in which figures are made to
perform surprising teats OF jugglery.. .
They tell Us that the four teachers OF
German with salaries amounting to 5 $40
belong entirely to the grammar schools,
while the fact is German is taught in three
rooms below the grammar room. The com
mittee estimate that $500 per annum would
be saved in rent Of library and board rooms
in proposed plan. We are now paying but
$500 per year and hold lease running two
years longer At the expiration of that time,
if we do not renew the lease, we may be
able to get suitable rooms in some public
building at no expense of rent. They tel
US that in rent of detached rooms, not needed
when high school is built $270 would be
saved.
The Board rents but two outside rooms for
school purposes at present, one OF which Is
the basement of church in Richie district
containing 200 pupils, and / do not believe
they could be put into the main building on
account OF it being vacated by fifty gram
mar scholars. This school building, as
well as several others, must have additions
built thereto, or we shall continue to pay
rent for outside rooms-even if high
school is established. The removal of 43O
grammar scholars from all the school build
ipgs would afford but temporary relief. as
the space vacated would probably be taken
up within year or two Any one who has
watched the progress of our schools for
some lime past must have noticed the re-
| marksble increase from year to year IN the
attendance Of Q younger class OF pupils;
they come me; ;c:. as soon as they can
get in under the school law, and quit
Just as soon as they are old enough to
work. Comparatively few remain in
school long enough to reach the grammar
room, and on an average only 80 pupils
per annum graduate from an entire school
enrolment of over FIVE thousand, aud this
under our present system. The number who
could remain to receive full benefit of 9
high school course would no doubt be con-
| siderably less Such is the condition OF
school affairs in this manufacturing working
community, and for their wants we are as q
Board to provide.
In the proposed high school the Superin-
tepden, of Schools is named in the commit
tees estimate as the Principal without sd-
ditiopal salary with a faculty Of six teach
era one of whom is to be teacher of Ger
man only. There must be some mistake in
this estimate. Heretofore we have required
the exclusive services of Superintendent
in the duties of bis Office. We have also
required Principal in each school to attend
exclusively to the duties belonging thereto.
But If the committee are correct one per
son can attend to both duties. We could,
therefore, under our present system, require
one of our principals to assume the addi-
tional duty of superintendent; dispense
with the services Of the other principals and
REQUIRE the grammar loom teachers to act
as principal in each school And, again, if
six teachers are sufficient in the proposed
high school, then fourteen teachers should
be able to do the same work just as efici
emily under our present system; or, if the
present principals are not to be dispensed
with. then sew en- or eight teachers should be
sufficient with the assistance of the princi-