The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-04
THE BOARD DIVIDED.
Abolition of Special Teachers
Strongly Opposed.
WHAT DR.. CHURCHILL PROPOSES
Mr.. MaeDougan Condemns the Meve,
bat the Doctor Wants Regular
Teachers TO DO the work.

The proposition to dispense with the
special teachers in the public schools by
the board of education, IS q move in the
line of ratrenohment, has caused a great
deal Of discussion, both on the streets snd
In school circles The members OF the
board of education are widely divided on
the subject, Mr.. MacDougail being vio-
lently opposed 20 the measure. while DR..
Churchill, at whose suggestion action by
the board in the matter was deferred one
month at the last meeting, appears to be
in favor OF il as a proper move in the direc-
ton Of economy. and IL !. his idea 90 have
the regular teachers do the work now per-
formed BY the special employees, thus re-
ducing the number Of persons employed,
but ~ the same time dispensing with none
Of the special stables. ]. b. MacDougall
was very oagsp0ken as 20 his policy, and
said:
II am unutteriy opposed 10 dispensing
with the special teachers for believe they
are needed and il would be attacking the
efficiency Of the institution 20 attempt 10
get along wtthous them. / believe that
the majority of the taxpayers Of the city
oppose the cutting down Of expenses y hen
IL Ia necessary 20 do 80 BY relessing sny Of
the teachers. Il would greatly affect the e.
fcisncy OF the schools. and / for one viii
OPPOSE any move made IS TetFenchment ia
that direction. for in the long run Il
would not be retrencAment; it would be s
costly experiment"
DR. =. A. Churchill was also outspoken
in stating where be stood. and be said:
az saw an article IN thu paper this
morning from Mr.. ChTisfaaer giving me
the credit for wishing 20 remove music
from the public schools. | am rot in favor
Of Dispensing With music or any Of the
other So-csiied special studies. The only
question IL one Of poliev--w neither during
she present special financial depression
we shall dispense with the so-cslied spe-
ctAl tea hers A great dsai Of pressure has
been brought upon myself and the other
members Of the board Tor rstrenchmsnt
along this line. IL - proposed TO allow
the branches taught by the special teach
ers 20 he taught By the regular teachers,
and i has been urxsi bv great mary
TAXPAYERS that we shall disch arge eur spe-
cial teachers tor the present term. 1 may
say thaS perhaps this suggestion
comes fron more taxpayers Who are rot
parents than those who are. The
sxpsnxa - be saved by disch arEtng these
speciai teachers would b. 81. so q yeas.
True. ths. = smat. matter when taken
into comparison with the sums thought
lsssly expended IN ire ard police matters,
for IA nv opinion the edGeaitca Of cur
children IS certainty paramount coasiG-
GRAFTON. When tho resolution proposing
20 dispense With the speci. teachers came
up before the school hoard ] had IL laid
over for one uaozth n order that Es might
get an eYr-es.son % opinion from fhs peo-
rsle ef rhs city. fazf - tae status OF th~
matter a. the present tina
IF the peopIe bad consented % chr
funding "a. boating Indebtedness - tAat
~s mould be Favlng S rwr csnE Of the
innains asas Of So. coo instead Of 5 and
Ia prs crnL, snoGs9 would haFe 5esz
saved Erotn lie interest Btoa.y alone to
vsw fhe teachers. IL seemed - 6e the s3ea
81 TIE rsapEe a. that tlEas HAT ths board
o. s1aeaison wanted 10 Sc; hoId Ct SIC Qlo