Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-12
NORMAL SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS.
Mr.. Smiths Objections Discussed by
the School Board.

Mr.. smiths Objections Discussed by
the School Board.
TRUSTEES OF coLoRED SCHOOLS EXPLAIN THE
CASES IN oUEsTroS-oHASGEs AMONG THE
TEAcHERs-REsULrs OF THE RECENT ExAMINA-
TIoSs-SAMISG NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The appointment Of certain teachers in the
sixth and seventh divisions was criticised in
communication from James II. Smith. presented
at the meeting of the school board last evening.
Mr.. Smith had written to the District Commits
sioners, as stated in The STAR some time ago,
alleging certain irregularities. and this letter
was referred to the board. Mr.. Smiths claims
that the order of the Commissioners requiring
that. in the appointment of teachers in the
public schools, the graduates Of the normal
schools should be preferred, and after the list
Of such graduates had been exhausted
then appointments could be made from out
side persons, provided they evidenced fit
ness by passing proper examination, has
been violated, both in letter and spirit
by the trustees representing the colored
schools of the sixth and seventh divisions.
He states that of last years graduates Of the
colored normal school about twelve Of the
thirty-seven remain unemployed. He says that
he is advised that at least three, and possibly
present school year. not one of whom was a
graduate OF the Normal school, and some of
them were not even residents Of the District
He says that he is advised that at the last meet
ing Of the board, the trustee of the seventh
division appointed as teacher to fill a vacancy
young lady who is a graduate of a normal
school IN Massachusetts. Mr.. Smith saws that
under the rules upon the expiration of the
first year after graduation, the graduates are
not eligible for appointment unless they first
mas IAN 10 fnla tbat
justice is done to the graduates of the Normal
school. and that they are virtually debarred
from becoming teachers
DIR. Francis moved that the communication
be referred to the committee on teachers, but
Prof. Gregory thought that as the matter had
come up several times before it might as well
be met now in open board meeting and settled.
DIR. Francis asked if MIR. Smith signed the
communication as an attorney, as he under
stood that he had been employed in that
capacity by one lady.
PROF. GREGoRY's EXPLANATION
Prof. Gregory explained that one case COM
planned of was the appointment Of Mr.. Mitchell
as teacher of the Good Hope Hill school The
vacancy there had been created by transfer
and there was no available teacher Mr.
Mitchell passed an examination, which he en-
tered with others. As this is an eighth grade
school no Normal school graduate could
under the rules. be placed in charge. He said
teacher in the school, but had resigned to ac-
eept the position of superintendent Of normal
school in Virginia.
The next case, Prof. Gregory said, was the
appointment of teacher IN the Colored
Orphans home. A teacher was reouired who
could teach a kindergarten school. In addition
q portion OF her salary was paid by furnishing
board and lodging at the home. The public
school teachers generally did not care to take
such position, and he thought, under the
CIR
proper one.
The third case complained Of Prof. Gregory
said was the appointment of a teacher in the
Good Hope school. Owing to the long distance
In the country Of the location of the school, it
was difficult to obtain female teachers and
therefore it decided to appoint a male
teacher. This was the reason for this appoint
ment.
Speaking generally, Prof Gregory said that
while Il was true that the graduates of the Nor
nal school were required by the law to be given
the preference, yet when they could not do the
work there was ample authority to appoint
others. In fact, the rule did not require the
appointment of all the graduates, but only the
tirst twenty IN each class and the other men,
bers were placed on an equal footing with
graduates Of other normal schools.
WHAT DIR. FRANCIS SAID.
DIR. Francis was of the opinion that the OBJ
iections were not well taken. 1t was well un-
derstood by the members Of the Normal schoc,
That all the graduates were not to be appointed
20 teachers positions. He had favored the in
crease in the number Of the classes from twenty
to forty, so that a larger number of the pupils
might enjoy the benefits Of the training and to
prepare them for positions outside of the pub
lie schools Under the old rule an examination
was required If year had elapsed after gradu-
alton before an appointment was made. But
now appointments were made upon the Normal
school certificate. He thought that if Mr..
Ninth m Irnn bort
from the trustees that he would have avoided
the errors into which he has fallen.
The whole letter, Mr.. Darlington observed.
evidently was based upon a Misrepresentation
The rule IN question was not al order of the
Commissioners but of the school board and in
addition the rule did not require the appoint
ment Of all the graduates but only twenty of
them.
1t was thought by some Of the members that
it was not necessary to take any action on the
communication, but as il had been referred by
the Commissioners to the board il was con-
Guided to refer it to the teachers committee
for report.
The reports Of the superintendent of the
white and colored schools for May shows that
Z9OiO pupils were enrolled. and the average
number in attendance was 25 33I There were
hye cases Of corporal punishment and four pu-
pils were dismissed
NAMES FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS
An order Of the District Commissioners was
read directing that the school building at the
corner Of 22d and Estreets north west be named
the Briggs building in honor Of Martha b.
Briggs; that the building at the corner of LIST
and l. streets northwest be named the Jones
school In honor Of the late Alfred Jones' and
the one on LIST street, between and C. streets
southwest be named the Bell school in honor of
the late George Bell
communication was read from ]. B. Burke.
referring TO the action of Miss McWilliams OF
the Analostan school, relative to the dismissal
OF his son Frank from the school because of
his total indifference to his work" The
teacher asked Mr.. Burke to come and see her
personally, and Mr.. Burke thought that writ
ing letter Of apology for his son was sufficient
Referred.
Applications for teachers positions we're re-
ceIved from Miss Grace Tendon, Miss Maud
SIlson, and Miss Marion G. Walfort and for a
janltors position from Geo. E. Moore. The
resignation of Miss Marian E. Doster was ac-
eepted. Miss III. Z. Riggs was appointed a
teacher In the High school, in class IL.
GRANTED CERTIFICATES.
Prof. Gregory, from the committee on teach
ers and janitors, recommended, in accordance
with the result Of the examination for teachers
certificates, held May 18th and 18th ult, that
Certificates be awarded as follows: Third class
certificates to +. Granville Comegys and Mabel
Champion; second class certificates to Hanson
Lemon; first class certificates to Mary E. Wood
ha