The record-union., 1894-07-20
CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Two Cases of Discipline Affecting
Teachers.
The Matter of salaries-Removal of an
Ungraded Standardization Of
Teachers-Awards.

present except Mr.. Buchanan.
The question of the adoption OF the
kindergarten schools into the city sys-
tenn was taken up and the matter of the
support of the same. After some debate
the question was postponed for further
consideration. The board is agreed to
take the schools if the financial arrange
ment can be made.
The Committee on Rules and Regula-
tions reported the facts in the case OF
Miss Julia Smith, a Principal. Miss
Smith was sick and appointed Miss
Paine to act as Principal while she was
ILL In the meantime the Superintendent
sent word to Miss Crowell, teacher OF
higher grade than Miss Paine. TO act as
Principal. Miss Smith then asked the
Superintendent to appoint Miss Paine
and he declined. Miss Smith then said
she'd go, sick as she was, and serve IN
the school. She thereupon sent note TO
Miss Crowell saying the superintendent
had consented that Miss Paine should
act, and subsequently In person she SO
told Miss Crowel. Miss Smith went to
the building while sick and took charge
of the school, and there had words with
Miss Crowell, rebuking the latter Tor not
yielding to Miss Paine. The Superin-
tendent suspended Miss Smith for IN
subordination.
It was set out that Miss Smith said she
had understood the Superintendent to
consent that Miss Paine should act. The
committee reported Miss Smith at fault.
and that Miss CroWell was entitled to act
as Principal; that the rebuke to Miss
Crowell by Miss Smith was passionate
and unjust and was overheard by the
children, and was therefore demorallz-
tod hot
Smith was not in proper physical con-
dition to supervise the school when she
returned, and resumed her place in order
10 prevent Miss CrOwell acting as Prln-
cipal, and that Miss Smiths acts were
coDtemptuous and ipsubordinate.
The same committee reported on the
trouble in the primary school at Tenth
and @ between Principal Miss McCor-
mick and teacher, Miss Miller. The
committee reported its inability 10 fathom
the cause for the inharmony between the
two old-time and competent teachers.
The committee, however: gently sug-
gested that the Principal had not been
without fault and had not been strictly
just in her treatment OF the subordinate
teacher, and they found that Miss Miller
had done nothing for which to be re-
preached.
In the case of Miss Smith, ex-Superin-
tendent A. @. Hinkson desired to be
heard in behalf Of the Principal if there
was TO be any judgment pronounced.
Mr.. Crouch said the committee reported
the facts, not judgment.
President Davis said he thought no
judgment would be pronounced. Miss
Smiths state of health at the time must
be taken into account. Perhaps a change
about of teachers should be made.
Mr.. Hinkson said he could not justify
Miss Smith; she had done wrong, that
was clear. But he knew her to be a zeal
Gus, capable, indeed one of the best
teachers Sacramento ever had. He was
her friend, and he appeared also for host
OF her old-time pupils, now grown up
and IN business and good standing, who
regarded her with an affection that is
high tribute TO her worth. She misun-
derstood the Superintendents instruc-
ton: she was not therefore wilIIul in
stating what she did to Miss Crowell.
Conceding her to be intelligent she must
have misunderstood him. She was sick
and worried, and her mind must have
misapprehended Mr.. Erlewine. The fact
that her old pupils now come forward
in her behalf ought to go far
toward excusing her. He believed the
board ought 10 act dlscreetly and do with
the case as will best conserve the school
interests. Miss Smith has been so long a
high-class teacher and has so deeply the
affection of the people and her pupils
that he asked the board TO deal gently.
Miss Smith has phenomenal record and
he asked that it be not put aside. He
conceded that insubordination cannot be
overlooked, but the trying position, the
worry OF the Principal, the state of her
health, all should win for her charity
from the board. He thought a repri-
mand and reassignment at the next
election would conserve the interests of
the schools and sustain the dignity OF the
board and the Superintendent.
Mr.. HeiSen as an old-time pupil of Miss
Smith spoke for her and in behalf OF
group of young men behind him. They
asked for charity for the best teacher he
and they ever had-one who had i'm
pressed for good SO many OF the Young
men Of Sacramento.
superintendent Erlewine said in JUS
tice to Miss Smith it was fair to say that
she claims that she had understood him,
the superintendent, that he'd make the
change from Miss Crowell to Miss Paine.
What he blamed her for most was writing
the letter TO Miss Crowell at all.
Mr.. Breuner said he was an old pupil
of Miss Smith and he asked for her com
mon mercy. He was of that celebrated
class in whose interest Miss Smith was
first promoted at request of the people
that she might go along with her class,
and this was again repeated, and the
Board of Education paid her the high
compliment of these two promotions out
Of order. He begged for leniency for his
old teacher.
Mr.. Brown, an old pupil, spoke also for
Miss Smith, who was always good TO her
pupils. always untiring, always full of
Interest In her pupils and proud to see
them advance and take honorable places
in life. He admitted she had done wrong
IN this one case, "but after nineteen
years of service shall she be set aside for
this one error? What one of US has not
Guph time dnnn ba
sick; she did not appreciate what she was
doing" de prayed for leniency for his
old teacher, so loved by all her old pupils.
Mr.. Iardley was two years pupil OF
Miss Smiths, and he begged for her char
liable treatment. He had always found
her truthful, honorable and faithful
Director Couch said he had heard he
was spoken of as an enemy TO Miss
Smith. He denied the insinuation. AS
a committeeman he had only done his
duty.
Director Huntington looked on the
matter as serious and delicate. School
discipline affects the character of those in
control and the welfare of the schools
themselves. He was pleased at the testi-
mony OF fex-Superintendent Hinkson and
SO many young men of the city her old
pupils. de realized the frame of mind
a teacher is sometime in by reason of
trials. he had been teacher and knew
OF what he spoke. lie favored referring
the matter to the superintendent and afi-
yisiDg him to make no personal examnle
but impress all teachers with the truth
that the board is alive to all these breaches
of discipline and will consider all oues-
tions OF inharmony affecting the schools
which are conducted for the children and
not for the teachers.
Director Crouch agreed with DIR. Hunt
ington.