Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-04-07
CITY school Board.


As stated in Yesterdays GAZETTE all the
members of the board were promptly in at
tendance on Thursday night except Messrs.
Fendall and Leadbeater. After the reading
of the minutes, the Superintendent of
Schools presented hia annual report, show
ing that while Alexandria stands lowest in
her enrolment of white children than any
other city in the Commonwealth and in that
of colored children than Manchester and
Norfolk, than which we also do better in
average enrolment of both racee, our aver
age attendance OF white pupils is better than
that OF any other city except StauntoD,
which equals US, and in that of colored child
rem, we are exceled by Richmond and
Staupton only. Meotion is made OF the en-
try into the University of Virginia OF
pupil directly from Washington school and
of the high standing taken by four colored
bows from Snowden school at Howard Uni
versity.
The use of corporal punishment, the re
port says, is decreasing greatly, whle the
discipline continues excellent, and there Is
little truancy, though taIdiness has more
than doubled. The buildings for white girls
and for both colored girls and boys are re.
ported to be in good condition and fairly
furnished. but the Recommendations for white
bows are characterized as disgraceful to onr
community and an earnest appeal i5 made
| for new building for them on the site OF
Washington school. The condition of the
school finances is shown to be excellent and
the cost OF maintaining our schools to have
been lees pro rata than that in any OF the
other cities except Fredericksburg, Peters
busy and Williamsburg, that Of the last two
being only one and two cents, respectively,
per pupil less than ours.
Col. Smith, Judge Stuart and Mess's.
W. F. Carne, Strauss, Vincent and Sweeney,
strongly advocated a concurrence in the re-
commendation for new building, and on
motion of Mr.. Strauss that portion of the
Superintendent report WAS referred 10 the
| Committee on Schoolhouees and Furniture.
with instructions to report on building on
| Thursday night next. The Superintend-
cuts also reported his assignments for teach.
ers in Lee School. Mr.. W. T. Carne offered
resolution re.aflirming the promise
of the beard to give preference to
Alexandria graduates of the State
Normal School, and stated that he had
received from its President o letter OF en-.
quiry as to what objection there was to it's
graduates as apparently evinced by recent
action here he read the curriculum and
gave his reasons for thinking that normal
teachers were needed.
Col. Smith moved to repeal, instead Of re-
affirming the resolution Of preference. He
had voted for Miss Mclean, though it did
not appear go in the published report, but he
did not want his hands tied by pledges.
Mr.. Msrbury was also opposed to mort
gaging the appointments in advance.
Mr.. Strauss thought that If the State sup
ported the normal school we ought to EN-.
ploy its graduates.
Judge Stuart said he was opposed to pref
erencs and bad voted with large majority
of the General Assembly against giving it.
Mr.. Sweeney also advocated the repeal Of
the resolution.
Mr.. w. F. Carne said that while he pre-.
ferred preference, other things being equal,
he thought it hest to repeal the resolution
if it was not TO be adhered to and he, there.
fore, withdrew his resolution.
Supt Carne said that he preferred mid.
die course, repeal would be looked upon
as depreciation OF the normal school, while
On absolute pledge Of preference was mad
visable. The normal school was TO teachers
what theological, medical and law schools
were to cIergymen, physicians and lawyers.
While they could not give people brains, or
qualify those naturally unfit for those pro
fes ions, they were very properly demanded
By public sentiment for admission to them
lie had often, himself, felt the want OF nor
NAL training and was sure he would have
been successful teacher ten years earlier
than he was had be had 1t, and if two can
didates were found equally qualified in
other respects, the one normally trained
would be always the better but there were
incompetent teachers SO trained, he had no
doubt ard AL other things being equal'
should be added to the resolution of prefer
ence.
Col. Smith concurred in tina. view and
withdrawing his motion for repeal, offered
the following which wac unanimously adopt
ed, viz:
Resolved, That in the selection of now teachers
for tho public schools of Alexandria this board
will hereafter give due consideration to the qusl
ifcations OF teachers from Alexandria who have
graduated at the State Normal School.
At o'clock, the Board adjourned until
Thursday night next.
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