The Critic and record. (Washington, D.C.) 1891-1896, 1891-05-13
IMPORTANT BUSINESS TRANSACTED
AT LAST NIGHTS MEETING.

a Charge Preferred That Seriously Re
fleets Upon the Method OF Selecting
Teachers-Numcrous Changes In the
Personnel of the Corps Of Teachers.
The regular meeting of the board of
trustees Of the public schools was held ut
the Franklin Building last night. Those
present were Messrs. Gregory, Hazen,
Cornish, Mitchell, Wilmer, Whelpley and
Bruce with President Mitchell in the
chair.
A communication was Rad from Mr.
II. j. LASER that attracted considerable
interest and attention, as in it he charges
the illegal appointment of teachers. Mr.
Lasier says that some time ago his daugh-
ter, Miss Marguerite LASER graduate of
the High School, 1880, wrote to President
Mitchel Of the school board enclosing
A. application which she had made to
Superintendent Powell to fill a vacancy in
the corrs of teachers of the third divis-
ion. In her application she stated that
as she was informed that there were no
eligible candidates.. T., graduates of the
Normal School or certificate holders-she
would respectfully request that an early
opportunity be afforded her to take an ex-
animation for the vacancy or for any
other that might occur before the closing
of the school year. She asked that her
application be referred to the committee
on teachers, but Mr.. Lasier says that she
has received no reply to her communica-
ton, nor had any examination been ac-
corded her.
On the contrary he says, from the best
OF evidence obtanable, not only that va
cancy, but one or more in other divisions
have been filled by the board. 1t is evil
denCed by the minutes of the board that
all normal graduates of 1890 were APP
pointed at a meeting held September .,
and that subsequent meetings of the board
exhausted available candidates and made
a teachers examination necessary in No
vember. Nine candidates were successful,
and il is presumed all were appointed to
existing vacancies. This presumption is
based upon the fact that the proceedings
before alluded to indicate large number
of appointments, some of whom. it is safe
to assume were not qualified. And, con-
tinued MIR, LASER, it can he shown that
several are to-day teaching whom, it is
believed, were appointed at a special meet
ing of the board in direct violation of the
rules of the public schools of the District
lie urged upon the board the necessity of
reconsidering their action, holding pub
lie examination and legally filling all va
cancies that have occurred since the open
ing of the year. Mr.. Lasiers commune
cation was referred to the committee on
rules.
A resolution introduced by Professor
Gregory inviting Superintendent Powell
and Cook to address the board in the near
future on the practical workings of the
course of instruction was unanimously
adopted.
The following transfers, promotions
and designations were favorably reported:
Resignation of J. Il. McNab, teacher
manual training, Washington High
school, at 81 900 per annum, accepted,
and A. l. Gardner promoted from $3.50 to
$1,000.
Promote c. H. Faulkner, teacher, man
nal training, from 800 to $3.50 per an
mum, vice A. |. Gardner, promoted.
AppoiutJ j. X. Potter teacher Of manual
training at 800 per annum.
First division--Accept resignation of
Miss l.. l.. McCauley, sixth grade and pro-
mote Miss A. L. Lyon.
Promote Miss NJ. L. Sheads from grade
> to grade 4, vice Miss LYON
Appoint Miss Pickles to grade . wee
Miss Sheads, at salary of 800 per an
nuns,
Fifth division-Appoint Katharine Nc
Gowan temporary teacher, vice NJ. G. Hill
ton, resigned.
Sixth Observation-Disclosures, w. b. Evans
To Jennings Road school, vice w. ii
smith, resigned; salary S775 per annum.
Transfer, III. w. Lewis to Burrvile
School, vice w. b. Evans, promoted;
salary $3.50 rer annum
Appoint Emma +. Blackwell to Ben
niDgs Road School, vice II. w. Lewis,
promoted; salary 500 per annum.
Appoint II. A. Estep janitor Van Buren,
Building, Anacostia.
Leave of absence to end of year granted
L. 4
Jennie S. Campbell appointed to vacancy
Resignation of Oliver West, jantor L,
street School, accepted, and Charles
Thomas appointed.