Morning journal and courier., 1892-02-06
BOARD OF EDUCATION.

n Innovation at Co m m C m cement Ex-
 ercises-Scfenti6c Expertme ents Will
 be Performed on the Stase-SchOlars
 Having a Mark Above Eighty Will
 be Permitted to Compete as Essayists
 Teachers Appointed and Trans
 ferred.
 At the meeting of the board of education last evening the following members were present: Messrs. Strong, Graves, Hol- comb, Hemingway, Plunkett and Sheri- dan
 An innovation has been made in the graduating exercises on commencement day, which is likely to render them much more enjoyable.
 The president announced that the pre- parations for the graduating exercises, un- der new rule, must be laid before the tee on schools as formerly. On the recom- mendation of the superintendent and the principal of the high school 1t was decided that one of the graduates who take part in the commencement exercises shall per form some scientific experiment at the ex- ercises. The selection of the person to make the experiment. is to be left to the principal of the high school and the teach CT of natural science. One other
 
 recitation rendered by young lady to be selected by means of a competitive ex ercise before committee prior to gradua tion The number of competitors at the preliminary contest is to be limited to those who are to be appointed by the principal and teacher of elocution.
 The number of essayists are to be limit ed to eight, instead of ten, as heretofore, and all tho students who have an average above eighty per cent. will be permitted to compete. From the number of essays thus written sixteen are to be selected by the High school authorities, and then these sixteen essays will be submitted to a committee, who shall select the eight to be read by their writers commencement day. \
 Principal Thomas said that two or three of the best writers in the class were below 80 per cent from sickness or other causes and rather advocated that the competition be thrown open to the whole class, but the board decided to limit the competitors to those with standing of 80 per cent. or over.
 The graduating exercises are to be held in the Hyperion OF the 18th of April.
 Burton Mansfield presented bill for $22 50 for Mrs. Susan Cover for unpaid taxes during the years 1887, 1888 and 1889 The city and town have paid their part but the school districts had failed to pay theirs. The board voted to refund the money.
 The committee on schools recom- mended that Miss Lois Gaskill of the oswego Training schools be school at salary of $500. The appoint next meeting. Miss Margaret E. Smith was appointed to the vacancy in the Daven- port avenue school made by the resigna- tion of Mrs. Kathryn L. Verrill, nee Me Carthy, whose resignation was received and accepted by the board. Miss Smith is now extra teacher at the Webster school, and is to receive the same salary at her new post as she is receiving now. Miss J. E. Hine was appointed extra teacher at the Eaton school.
 The superintendent of public schools was given leave of absence for February 16, 17,18, to attend the meeting of the Depart ment of Superintendance of the National association at Brooklyn.
 Major Strong announced that bids for the additions to the Winchester school will be opened and awarded at the next meeting of the board.
 communication was received from the physical culture department of the Turn Verein hall inviting the members of the board to attend their exhibition at Proc tors opera house Thursday evening, Feb ruary 26.
 A directory and calendar has been made out which contains a corrected list of teachers, schedules for special teachers, scheme of studies, etc. Superintendent Curtis asked that 800 of these be ordered printed, which the board agreed to.
 A list of about twenty pamphlets, con- taining selections from classic English writers, was ordered, to be used in the study of English literature in the High school The matter of purchasing text books on commercial law and on business letters was postponed indefinitely.