Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-21
SHOULD ELECT HOME TsAcnefs.
Failure Of the Manchester school Board
to DO This Criticised.
MANCHESTER. Va, August 20, 1892.

DlANChEblEh, ' As nus uoe ~ ASS-.
To he Editor of he Dispatch
As an old subscriber of your valuable
paper, and recognizing that the DiSPArcH
circulates very extensively IN our city,
would ask permission TO call attention
through your columns to question that
is of vital interest and Importance 70 our
tax payers and their children, ana 10 the
public generally.
For some years past the School Board of
our city. in their selection OF teachers Tor
the public schools. have deyiated from tho
course that is usually followed in other
cities and school districts. On occasion
of such elections preference Is generally
given, and justly SO, to graduates OF the
local schools, provided they possess the
requisite attainments and capabillty tor
teaching. This plan has been found TO
work well in Richmond for many years
past. and [ might mention many other
places where like custom prevails.
But the School Board If the city OF
Manchester differs with all other boards
on this question. Instead OF following
thor course they prefer to ignore the as
plications of the graduates of their own
schools and select as teachers those VINO
never attended our schools and who are
comparatively newcomers TO our city.
On one occasion 1.-TWO years ago.. Just
few weeks before the election of teachers
took place, two ladies' moved from Rich
mond to Manchester and our benehcent
aud considerable % board presented each
OF them with school, and this notwith-
standing the fact that among the applica-
lions that were presented to tho board
were several from young ladies who had
graduated with the highest honors from
our own schools and who were thoroughly
competent to teach.
ON last Tuesday night the 10th instant
the board met for the purpose OF elect
ing teachers. Among the applicants were
two young ladies who we're graduates
of the High School and who had capably
filed positions OF assistant and substitute
teachers, respectively, during the previous
session, and who therefore were Justly en-
titled TO promotion. One OF these ladies'
had been an applicant for no less than five
years, having on each occasion success
fully passed the necessary examination, as
proven by her having received certificates
TO that effect, signed by the superlntend-
emit of schools. Here again our magnani-
nous board repeated its action or two
years sgo. and selected in place of these
deserving young ladies persons who never
attended our school ono Of whom 10
newcomer to our city, and another lives
III Richmond.
Now, we have no prejudice against any
OF these persons, but in the name OF the
graduates of our schools and the tax-pay-
ers OF our city We protest against such
action on the part of the School Board,
and demand that they recognizes the Just
claims of those who, besides being tho
roughly capable. are justly entitled 10
these positions. II there is not q sufh-
cheney of teaching talent among our
High-School graduates then We cordially
welcome teachers FROM other cities and
other schools, but until such a dearth
exists we insist that our own schools fur
nish the supply.
hone this will be the last time our peo-
pie will have 10 call attention TO this evil.
Let our School Board take the matter un-
der calm consideration, and L think they
will come TO the conclusion that / am
right. ALEXANDRA b. McCULLocH.