Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-01
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
AN INTERESTING DEBATE ON
SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS.
Reports Of Various Committees-The
Ivy on the Perry Seminary
Doomed-Teacher Elected.

The City Board of Education held their
regular monthly meeting at the Office of
the Superintendent last evening, all the
members present. President Conklin in
the chair.
This being the last meeting of the old
Board, the various committees submitted
their monthly reports, which were received
and placed on file.
The Furniture and Supply Committee
reported that the buildings were all
in splendid condition. All the school
houses were well furnished. Some 200
new desks would be necessary the coming
year, to accommodate the constantly in
creasing number of pupils.
The Library Committee said that appa-
ratus and charts were necessary in all the
Primary Schools The Grammar and High
Schools needed encyclopedias and some APP
paratus, beside certain classical text books.
The Building and Repair Committee re-
ported that that the wooden ventilators at
the Capitol Grammar School and galvan-
lied iron pipes put in the roof of the Sacra-
mento Grammar School had been repaired
and gas put in. A new sidewalk had been
put down at Sixteenth and n streets.
The Committee on Salaries and Rules
and Regulations had no report to make.
The Committee ON Course of Study stated
that one of the rooms of the Perry Semin-
airy building had been given to parties who
desired TO start kindergarten school. In
the opinion of the committee the subject of
establishing kindergarten classes should be
brought up at some future time and fully
discussed. They were becoming quite pop
ular for very young pupils, and they be-
lieved there was merit IN their popularity
The comMitte referred to the fact that
music books had been purchased and a
teacher employed, but lately the books
were unused, the teacher had violated
her contract and there was no singing
in the schools. The Chairman of the
committee said he was in favor of the prop
osition to furnish school-books to the
school children free. He believed that
such step would be in the best interest
of the schools, both city, county and State
We furnish at the present time school
building, teachers. chalk, pencils and sta
tionery, and. we should go one step farther
and furnish the books. He Gid not believe
in furnishing carpenter with saw and
hammer, and requiring him to purchase
his own plane and square. the matter
should, in his opinion be seriously consid-
cred by the incoming Board. He also rec
commended SwInton's Primer, which costs
twelve cents a copy, for the low eighth
grade. The State First Reader was used in
the high eighth grade, and the little ones
in the lower eighth were taught from
charts. He thought they should have a
book, and the one named seemed to be
well adapted
Director Todd thought the adoption of
any book at this time would be the estab
lishment of a bad precedent. He thought
the First Reader was sufficient, and no in
road should be made upon the State books
This was exactly the step The book-rings
would like the Boards Of Education to
take, and he was opposed to it. Ii the
First Reader is to be supplemented with q
primer, let the State do it.
Mr.. Martin said the change would not
cost the city to exceed $50. He was willing
the book should be bought BY the Board
and furnished the children. He did not
think it in anyway interfered with the
State series.
Director Hopkins said he thought the
First Reader too difficult for beginners and
favored the proposition of Director Martin.
He was not in favor, however, Of the Board
furnishing them free TO the pupils. Adept
them and let the parents buy them ii they
so desired.
Director Martin said the various teachers
associations had recommended supple
mental books.
Director Chapman said he was not going
to saddle another expense upon the parents
of this city. They had been asked to buy
singing books, and what had come OF il?
They were only recommended, but the
children were told in SO many words that
they must tgy them. II know that to be a
fact" added ar. Chapman.
Director Todd said that was not the only
bad feature. If the Board adopted that
primer, under the school law ii was adopted
for four years. He was in favor of the
State series of text books, and he was not
going back upon it before it was given a
fair trial. If primer is necessary ii will
only take the State Board of Education a
few days 10 get it up. Let Us never again
drop into the hsnds of the book ring.
Several substitutes were offered but none
of them seconded.
The report of the committee was re-
ceived and placed on file, but the Board re-
fused to even recommend the Swinton
primer, by vote Of 6 10 2.
II was suggested by the Superintendent
that some one see the Attorney General
and ascertain if the primer could be
adopted for present use, and escape the
/ four-year section of the law.
President Conklin said he was strongly
in favor of supporting the State series OF
textbooks and wanted 20 see Sacramento
stand by them.
He also reported the following insurance
I