The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-17

This would save $100 O0O The other method is
reduction of 10 per cent in the force of teach
ers This method would save about $50, 900, to
which, if we add the $1,000 surplus revenue,
temporary loan, and if the Legislatures at the
next session, will amend the law and restore the
$57 900 to US, this reduction of salaries need not
extend beyond one year.
This committee believes the credit Of this
board is in peril, and that to continue expenses
at the current rate for another year would who'll
ly impair our credit We therefore. while
GREETING the necessity for the STEP and express
ing our belief that salaries are now as low as
they should be, will. at our next meeting ask
the adoption of one of the two following propo-
sitions: First, that the schools be closed
onehalf year from the close of present
school year to February l. 1887;
second that schools in the first and second years
be reduced to halliday sessions EACH This will
dispense with the service of twenty teachers
and give us twenty-six rooms, now so much
needed for other schools; also, a reduction of all
salaries of officers and teachers of 10 per cent.
by this second method the saving will be: In
the salaries of twenty-six teachers dismissed,
$l3,U00; 10 per cent of salaries about ST. 600, to
which add the surplus revenue So, 600, making
the total saving $38, 900.
I'VE recommend, also, that a rule be adopted
that no pupil be amitted to the school during the
school year who is not six years of age at the
time of opening the schools in September"
The members of the committee who signed
this report were Commissioners GreenStreet,
Bamberger and Vonuegut
In support Of this report, Mr.. Vonnegut said
in reference to the closing Of the schools that he
would give no thought to that proposition; and
he thought the abclishing of the High-school
would do permanent injury to the whole COM
munity. He said if the High-school education
were left to private enterprise, it would deprive
children who were poor of the opportunity for
education. The proposition for the hours Of at
tendance of pupils in the second year
to be reduced to half day was one that could
be favorably considered. 1t seemed to be the
smallest of the necessary evils. because it would
be relief to the children, who at that age be-
gin to get tired of school, and the relief would
tend to make them feel more kindly toward the
school work. and in later years they would make
up for the loss. To cut down the teachers sal
atles would be very severe. The question was,
should the Highschool be abolished, or should
the hours of attendance in the second year be re-
duced to half day.
Mr. Frenzel said that the cause of the trouble
was the evident bad management of the finance
and auditing committees, and it their law
breaking in borrowing money which had brought
the finances to this condition and disgraced the
board He opposed the proposition to cut down
the teachers salaries 10 per cent He also op-
posed the proposition to reduce the second-yea
attendance to half day, but favored the idea of
doing away with the High-school for one or two
years, until the board had recovered its financial
of the finance committee were con-
troned by an undue infiuence-the
one which had so embarrassed the former
committees. That influence must be removed.
Tc, reduce the second years hours of attendance
would be to knock the foundation out Of the
public school education, and to keep the High
school open would be merely a silly dress
parade, while the board was in such financial
condition.
Mr.. Kuhn said he was in favor of closing the
High-school for one or two years. but was not
in favor of any of the other propositions. He
thought the finance committee had acted un-
wisely.
Mr. Bamberger said he did not think it proper
for the older members of the board to be ridi-
culing eliminating and terminating the newer
members of the finance committee and as to the
charge that an influence was at the bottom OF
the situation, he declared it was not the case.
Mr. Bingham said that he thought7t very un-
wise for the finance committee TO bring in such
report without having first consulted with the
board as the publicity Of 1t would tend to bring
the board into disgrace and the schools into dis
repute.
Nhe discussion resulted in the whole matter
being deferred for action until the meeting when
the other report will be considered.
The committee on buildings and grounds rec
commended the purchase of suitable lot in the
southeastern part of the city, between schools
Nos. 20. % and 49, and the erection upon it of
fourstory building to cost from 49, 600 to 80 000
After discussion in which Messrs. Conner Bam-
berger, Greenstreet and Vonnegut objected
TO the recommendation, upon the ground
that they did not know where the money was to
come from. vote was taken, resulting in the
recommendation being concurred in by vote of
5 to4
Mr. Kuhn offered resolution granting the
festival chorus the free-use of the High school
hall for rehearsals, which was adopted, Mr..
Vonnegut alone voting against it. After this the
board adjourned.