The record-union., 1894-03-08
CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Fifth Grade Salaries Restored to the
Former Amount.
Committee Appointed to Consider
Rules and Regulations for
Promotions.

The regular monthly meeting of the
City Board of Education was held last
night, ali the members being present.
The Superintendent presented an ap-
plication from J. w. Johnston of Terre
Haute. Ind, accompanied by his picture,
for a position as teacher.
A communication from Auditor Y Young
was also read, declining to pay bill of
the Capital Gas Company for S34 90, on
the ground that Mayor Steinman was a
stockholder in the company.
DR.. Huntington presented a resolution
fixing the salary, after April 1st, of fifth
grade teachers Except Principals at so,
fourth-grade teachers at So and third
grade teachers at $50, and that in the Lin
coin, Capital, Washington and Union
primary schools the said teachers shall
act as Vice e-Principals.
a delegation of fifth-grade teachers was
on hand in relation to the cut in their
salaries made at the last meeting. They
addressed the board, stating that their
responsibilities were greater than those
in the lower grades, and, while they were
glad to see the salaries of the latter raised,
they felt that it was not just to the fifth
grade teachers that it should be done at
their expense.
Director Buchanan said he had investI-
gated the change made since the last
meeting and was satisfied that an ln-
justice had been done, and that the board
had acted hastily. He indorsed restoring
the fifth grade salaries.
In answer to question, he said that he
favored raising the third grade salary to
$65.
Director Huntington stated that he
could not at this time vote for any mo-
ton that will increase the payroll. He
had opposed the former motion on that
ground and thought that the action taken
had been rather haSty. 1t was question
at present ii the department will have
sufficient funds to carry out the terms
fully. When the time shall come when
the board can do so, he should be ready
to be more liberal, but at present he could
not feel it right to do so. At present he
thought it would be best to rescind the
motion.
Director Crouch favored DIR. Hunting
toms motion, and the President did also.
Director Dolan thought it would be best
to lay the resolution over until the next
meeting.
Director Driver thought that the action
had been too hasty. lie was not in favor
OF cutting down any salaries, but thought
the board could not afford to raise them.
He favored Director HuntingtOn's mo-
ton for that reason.
Director huntington consented to
eliminate the clause with regard to vice
principals, and the resolution was passed
unanimously.
The request of Mrs. Harmon for a short
hand dictionary for use at the night
school was referred to the President.
Director Buchanan introduced a resolu-
tTr.r, - sl11. l,E H. IL
sense Of the board that the public school
department shall be entirely removed
from political influence, it shall proceed
by whatever course it deems most eX-
pedient to give TO each teacher employed
III the schools a relative standing, and
that all vacancies in the department be
filled in regular succession. That all
applications for positions as teachers be
filled in the order of the date on which
said application was made, and that in
case of a vacancy occurring such vacancy
shall be filed from the list of applicants
IN regular order. That the relative posi-
ton of teachers referred to may be
changed only by a majority vote of this
board, based on the teachers success as
indicated by the reports of their respect
i've classes.
Director Huntington presented the fol-
lowing resolutions:
ResotUed, That from and after April /,
1884, teachers asking position or advance
ment IN the High or common schools of
Sacramento shall make application in
writing to the Superintendent Of Public
Schools; that such application shall en-
body statement as to their qualifica-
tionS and be accompanied by such COM
mandatory letters as may be available.
ReSotUed, That before the election of
teachers for any position, the applications
filed with the superintendent be pre-
sented and read to the board.
Director Buchanan said, in his remarks,
that it was his idea if the reports OF a
teacher occupying an inferior position
show that by her zeal and efficiency she
had produced better results than one
above her, then by vote of the board
she would be enabled to pass her and step
into her place. If a teacher applied for a
substitutes position, she should be reg
istered and in order for the first vacancy.
A long discussion ensued, one Director
saying that, in his opinion, the circum-
stances of candidates should be taken
into consideration. Those who had pa
rents or friends able to support them
should not have preference Of those who
needed positions. He did not believe
that two or three in the same family
should have positions in the department,
and, when all other things were equal, a
Director might consider feelings Of friend
ship.
Dr. Huntington thought it would be
well for members TO make qualifications
the first requirement, and should put
aside all feelings of friendship, making
the good of the pupils the first considera-
tion. In qualifications, educational,
mental and moral, one candidate is al
ways better than another. Time of serv-
ice should also be a consideration.
lie hoped at some time to see u resolu-
ton introduced making it mandatory
on the Superintendent to give to the
board his opinion of the qualifications
and efficiency of teachers.
He thought the resolutions should be
referred to a special committee.
Director Driver thought there was
necessity of some rule. HedId not think
that pupils who had just graduated from
the High School were tit to teach the
children of the city. The children ought
not to be experimental on in such way.
He moved to refer the matter to a special
committee to be appointed by the Chair,
with instructions TO report at the next
meeting, and it was so ordered.
The Chairman appointed as such COM
mittee the Committee on Course OF Study,
with the President and superintendent.
The Committee on Course of Study re-
ported in reference to the German teacher,
that they had investigated closely and
consulted with parties competent to
Judge. They found that IN the grammar