The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-22
MIR. HUGHES REPORT.
President of School Board Re-
views the Years Work.
NIGHT SCHOOL ESTABLISHED.
Professor Peet Elected Teacher-Talk
of Securing Part of University
Site for High school.

| d. A. Spencer, j. B. MacDougall, superintend-
| ent Barnard, Secretary II. F. Whitney and
| Architect Parkinson, President Hughes annual
report was read, received and referred. The re-
| port contained numbsr OF very valuable sug-
gestfons. The project 81 a night school was sue
cessfully put through and the rules and regula-
lions were generally read, discussed, and sug-
gestions for alterations received due considera-
ton.
Following is the report of President Hughes:
Gentlemen Of the Board of Education: / herewith
submit my animal report president OF the
board of education of the city OF Seattle, for the
year ending June 30, 1891 The growth of our
city during the past six years has been I'M
precedented, Increasing as it has In population
from 1861 in 1885 to 3d. 1877 in 1891. 1t has been
matter OF no little difficulty for the board to
accommodations for the pupils. Nearly four
years ago, when entered upon my duties as
member OF the board, the district owned
but three buildings, viz: the Central,
Denny and Main street schools, the last named
having only two rooms, ana the entire corps of
teachers numbering twenty-seven. The follow
ing spring steps were taken to erect what is
known as the South school. While preliminary
matters were being adjusted for calling an cleo
tlon TO authorize the issue OF bonds with which
to build, the Central school caught fire and was
burned to the ground This proved a severe
blow to the district, 800 children, or one
nall those OF the entire city, were thus thrown
out OF school But with the characteristic push
OF our people, which was more fully demon
strated year later, and undaunted by
adversely, temporary rooms were secured
In which school was resumed until we
could rebuild. At an election held a
few weeks later the issue of $4,000 worth of
bonds was authorized, and IL was further
ordered by the people that the two buildings
proposed be constructed of brick. These build
ings were completed in time to be occupied a
portion of the next school year. They are both
magnificent structures and would be a credit to
any city on the Pacific coast. In the latter
part OF 1889 the board found itself confronted
with the fact that II would be necessary, on &C
count of the rapid increase of children of
school age, to provide more accommodations
Accordingly bids were solicited for plans to
construct four new houses. Another election
was called, the board this time asking for
thority TO issue 800 600 worth of bonds for SITES
buildings and furnishings. The people, with
tnelr usual lioeraiity, voted the bonds, there be-
Ing but thirty-two dissenting votes The pur-
chaser of these bonds has been unable TO nego-
tate their sale up to the present date, and his
failure to take them as agreed has been the
cause OF considerable annoyance and embarrass-
ment to the board In order to go on with
the work Of construction, warrants drawn ON
the school district have been issued to the
amount OF $4,000, drawing 10 per cent inter
est The city banks have honored our Scrip
paying par for all that has been issued on the
building and other funds For this outlay of
school funds we can point with pride to four
new school buildings-the Mercer in the north
ern part of town; the Columbia, in the north
eastern part, overlooking Lake Union: the T. I.
Minor, In the eastern part, and the Rainier, in
the southeastern part of the city Not having
sufficient room to accommodate those wishing
10 attend the Rainier school. more property was
secured, and the Olympic, a four-ro0m building,
was Immediately erected. This, with the four
buildings already mentioned, gave an additional
seating capacity for 1880 children. Notwth-
standing all this the board found il necessary
to build eight temporary rooms on school prop
erty and rent seventeen rooms from private in
dividuas.
As a means of furnishing better accommoda-
tons for the ensuing year the board has decided
to build additions to the Denny, Mercer and
Rainier schools during the summer vacation, at
cost of about $500 This will give further
relief On the first of June the territory embrac-
Ing Fremont, Latona, Green Lake, Ross and
salmon Bay became part of the corporate area
OF the city of seattle With the exception of
Fremont and Green Lake, school accommoda-
tons are provided for some time to come. At
Green Lake two-room building will be erected
during vacation, and plans are about perfected
Tor brick building at Fremont to contain six
teen rooms.
The High school at present is located in the
assembly room on third floor of the Central
school building. The present quarters are any
thing but inviting or easy OF access. the room is
crowded, light poor and the facilities for the
proper instruction OF the pupils are exceedingly
unsatisfactory. l would recommend that steps
be taken at the earliest possible moment to Sc
cure suitable site for High school. CEN
tral location for structure such as the city
demands and should have, accessible to ali
street car lines. and in every way adapted to the
wants OF the people, ought to be and can be
secured at reasonable cost the present
State unworthy site, when that property
Is offered for sale. On account of the rapid
growth OF the city ana the corresponding adj
vance in real estate it would be economy on the
part OF the board to secure, by gilt or
otherwise, at least nine new sites in different
parts OF the city for future use. Past experience
mas taught that the profitable time to secure
eligible locations is prior TO their actual need,
before the land has been divided among multi
tude OF owners, and has been made valuable by
many costly improvements. Should the board
be unable TO dispose OF the bonds already issued
/ before the next general election for members of
| the board OF education, would recommend that
ha TOD
/ that IN addition 10 the amount already voted we
| De authorized to issue additional $200,O0o
worth OF bonds for the purpose OF buying a site
LOT high school, erecting necessary buildings
ana purchasing new sites on which to build in
the future. No complaints from taxpayers have
| been brought to nv notice in regard to unueees-
| sary expenditure of funds belonging to the lis
| trict All have expressed themselves as salts
| ned with the manner in which the board has
Conducted school affairs. | am satisfied that
| each member has endeavored to guard the inter-
| esis and property OF the district with the same
| care ana vigilance displayed in his own private
| business enterprises The board hns at all
| times endeavored to secure the services of the
| pest teachers 10 be obtained. We have now as
| efnclent corps OF teachers as can be found any
| wnere In the Union, and the grade OF our
| schools Is being brought to high standard. In
| order TO secure good work fair remuneration is
essential, rule that works both ways, and one
that in the affairs of this school district works
| TO the general satisfaction.
The board cannot do better than encourage in
substantial manner the efforts OF the various
| libraries, collections in natural history pianos
| nags, pictures. etc. These things are instruc-
| i've, pleasing, patriotic, and they arouse feel
| Tugs ana call tofth sentiments of the nobest
| character Better men and women emerge from
| these schools in consequence OF these things
| Foilowlng IN the wake OF the principal cities
| IN the East, but leading on the Pacific sope
| manual training has been made part of our
| school system during the year now ending
| have much faith in whatever tends to increase
| the knowledge and usefulness of the youth of
| the land, ana Will eagerly watch the develop
| inent OF TINS new hraLch of education, the fos-
| tering of which is commended 20 my colleagues
| and our successors in office
believe the laws of the state should be so
| changed as 10 give boards OF education in the
larger cities entire control of their financial af
lars, limited only rs provided in the conStitu-
| ton The troubles incident TO appeals to the
| people, TO special elections and 10 the securing
| OF increased school accommodations. are so nu-
| merous and peTpieXing to seriously hamper
| the work, aud coFrespondingly injure the cause
| OF education. ii this board can obtain
! legislation indicated, il VIII be
rendering service of great value 10
| the people OF the state of Washington The
! high plane upon which the public schools are ia
| extremely gratifying That they Will be main
| Iained IN all their efficiency and advanced as
1 rapidly as circumstances will permit is the hope
/ OF the people. No other association OF mine.
pubic or private, past or future, is or can be SO
| OF this city.
Something has been done in the past in the
! way III oTusmentlng school grounds Shade
| trees have been planted on the streets aud the
| lois have been leyeled, slopei or walled as
| seemed best Street grading in some places and
! the lack of grades Ia Others have prevented the
! doing OF as much IN this way as was desired
| No small expenditure OF money will do more
! good than that involved Ia making the school
| surroundings wholesome and beautiful oDer-
! atlns upon tbe pride and affections OF the M
/ HtsI hi.lhg Their hearts with joy aud causing
lasting collections Of the most pleasant haraf
ter, and st the same time attracting and peasing