The morning call., 1894-03-11
NICELY ARRANGED
A School Board Scheme
Explained.
The Way In Which a Principal
Managed to Avoid Decap-
itation.

The tongues OF the school department
gossips are again wagRing. and the bit of
scandal which is responsible for their
activity seems quite tender morseL
Some time ago the air was filed with
Iumors TO the effect that Mrs. Frances A.
Banning was 20 be removed from the
principalship of the Everett School, and
the reasons given we're various. Mrs.
Banning and her friends asserted that the
change was TO be made because the School
Directors bad a friend to whom they
wanted TO give the place, while the men,
bers of The School Board named other
causes.
Shortly after these rumors became cur
rent the Everett School was raised from a
primary to a grammar school. and the
principals salary was increased from S1T5
to $780,
This move was looked upon as one of the
plays in the little game which had been
arranged, and those who pretended to
know maintained that ii was simply an
attempt 10 create fine position for the
one who was TO come.
At about the time that this happened a
decision was handed down In the Fair
chllds case, and then it was said that
Mrs. Banning was to be removed 10 make
room for the principal whn would be
turned cut Of place upon the relnstate-
ment of Miss Faircbilds.
All the while this talk was being in
dulged in Mrs. Banning continued unintet-
ruptedIy IN her position. and after while
people began to think that perhaps a mis-
take had been made, and that after all she
was not doomed to uffcial deca agitation.
They were not permitted TO think that
way for very long, however. At one OF
the regular meetings of the Board of Ed
oh nf nafn oro
preferred against Mrs. Banning. and her
removal was recommended. A committee
was appointed 10 investigate the charges,
and at the same time few of the lady's
friends formed themselves into a com nit
tee to protect her interests.
These gentlemen went to work with a
will and pulled all sorts OF political strings
In an eDdeavor to save the one whose
cause they championed.
The parents of many of the children who
attend the Everett School also took hand
In the affair and tried to save the principal
Meetings were held, resolutions adopted
and many other things done, but all these
efforts seemed without avail. The investi-
cation into the principals incompetency
went merrlly on and those who took an
interest in the affair were given to under
stand that no power on earth could save
her.
I'VE desire to improve the standing of
this city's ublic schools" said one OF the
members of the Board of Education, land
we don't care snap whether our actions
meet with general approval or not.
Neither can we be moved by political
influence. The merits of each particular
case are the only thi ngs By which we will
permit ourselves to be governed.
II Mrs. Banning is not incompetent she
VIII mol lose her place, but If it be proven
tnat she Is not capable OF properly attend
log 10 her duties. then she must co."
Mrs. Banning did not go, however. She
Is still principal of the Everett School,
and the charges against her have an.
parently been forgotten. The result of
the investigation was never made known,
nor was anything else done to Indicate
why the Director whose sole desire was to
improve the school, and his colleagues,
suddenly experienced change of heart,
and that is why the school gossips are
gGssping
OF course, they have hit upon an ex-
Dlanation of the affair. and. in view of the
fact that man high in authority in school
affairs Is responsible for the explanation,
there is apparently much truth in it.
Here is the story. When Mrs. Banning
found that influence could not be brought
TO bear on those who were after her scalp
she hit upon another plan. Going TO the
leading lights in the School Board she ex-
planned 10 them that instead OF Quarreling
over her position she was quite willing to
arrange compromise, and suggested a
way of adjusting all difficulties Der
suggestion proved an agreeable one and
was adopted. According to II Mrs. Ban
ming will not be removed. On the con-
cary. upon the conclusion of the fiscal
year she will tender her resign alton and
quietly step down and out, and In return
Tor this II has been agreed that before
her resignation is accepted her daughter,
WHO IS quite a capable girl. will be pro.
vlded with position in the department.
Thus. while the mother loses her position
the family will not be deprived OF a rev.
enue from the city.