The Portland daily press., 1894-05-29
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Methods of Teaching Drawing Discussed
Abandonment of Vaughan Street School
Mr.. Elmer e. Parmenter Elected Princf-
pal of the North School,

r. Elected
pal of the North School.
A meeting of the Portland School Com
mittee was held yesterday afternoon, Mayor
Baxter presiding, and all the members of
the board being present, except Mr.. Nc
Gowan.
Mr.. Charles L. Fox, the artist, who has
been for some time instructor in drawing
in the deaf school, was present and was in
vited to address the board upon the
SYSTEM OF DRAWING
in the schools. He found the pupils who
had come to him from the public schools
deficient in vigor and self reliance. He be-
heved this to be due to the system of the
American drawing books, which pay too
much attention to tineness and delicacy, in
stead of frnLess and vigor, which should
come first The main object of the teacher,
in his opinion, should be to secure clear
ness, competence, accuracy and decision in
the work of the pupil. Mr.. Fox showed the
books which he used, explaining that they
were SO arranged as to please the pupil with
figures from natural history, etc. In only
one respect are these books inferior to the
American. They are less analytical, but
ACSAo%O1ts
and character.
Mr. Fox said that the system had worked
so well in the deaf school that he should
like to try the system in one room of the
regular public schools. This would enable
the committee to compare the results fro
the two systems of text books.
A letter was received from Mr.. Theodore
c. Woodbury., requesting that the schools
should not begin until about the goth of
September, or about two weeks later than
at present. Mr.. Woodbury. urged that now
many citizens with cottages at the islands
or out of town, like to prolong the vacation
season into September; but are unable to
do so because of the schools. The letter was
referred to the committee on rules and
regulations.
A letter was read from Chairman Little of
the committee on fire department, asking
for the decision of the committee as to the
REIMBURSEMENT of the
VAUGHAN STREET SCHOOL
house to the fire department Mr.. Allen re-
ported that the scholars atthe Vaughan
street school could be divided between the
West and Mcclellan schools. This would
save four teachers and sixteen hundred
dollars year. Superintendent Lord said
that the accommodations at the West and
Mcclellan school were excellent for receiv-
ing the Vaughan street scholars, and most of
the latter would not be Inconvenience by
the change. But there were from twenty
five to fifty of the youngest scholars who
might find the distance longer than they
were used to, but not greater than are the
distance for scholars of similar grades in
other districts. In light, sanitary and other
arrangements both the Mcclellan and West
schools are far superior to the Vaughan
street school, One of the curious facts in
regard to this matter is that the Mcclellan
school district includes part of the Vaughan
street school yard; and there are scholars
passing the Vaughn primary every day on
their way to the Mcclellan primary.
An informal vote showed the board unani-
nous in favor of relinquishing the Vaughan
street school. This vote was made formal,
the feeling of the board being that the
school is not needed.
The fire department expect to use the
bui ding for an engine for that portion of
the city.
The school will be abandoned at the close
of the present school year. THE scholars
now going there will be- transferred to the
West and Mcclellan schools, according to a
district line to be determined hereafter.
the election of principal for
THE NORTH SCHOOL
was discussed informally; and then it was
voted to proceed to ballot. Mr.. Elmer E.
Parmenter was nominated by Mr.. Brownson
and was elected unanimously, at salary of
$500 year.
Mr.. Elmer E. Parmenter, the newly.
elected principal is about thirty years of
age. He is native of China. Me-, and a
graduate of Coburn Classical Institute, and
of Colby University in the class of 1885. He
has for seven years been teacher in the
Mitchell Boys school at BilIerica, Mass. He
comes very highly recommended. He has a
wife and one child
1t was voted to procure eighty-five
diplomas for the High school graduating
class, and five for the practice school.
Mr.. Brownson was authorized to procure
someone to deliver an address at the
practice school graduation.
A motion was made by Mr.. Brownson to
amend the rules in such a way as to do away
with the . -@z
JUNE WRITTEN EXAMINATION
in the Grammar schools for promotion, in
place of which will be substituted the daily
esti --ates of the teachers.
1t was also voted that in the primary and
grammar grades announcements of promo
ton shall not be made till the last day of
school; and scholars not present in school
then shall be required to take a written ex-
animation before promotion.
Pay roll to the amount of $9,259.9 81 was ap-
proved.
Mayor Baxter is to give $500 of his salary
to establish another kindergarten.
RAILROAD MATTERS.