The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25
REDUCING THE EXPENSES,
Contemplated Changes in the
Normal and Polytechnic
Schools.
Two Members Of a Committee With
Widely Differing Views as to
Where to Cut.

When the teachers and pupils of the San
Francisco Normal School and the Poly
technic High School left these institutions
last week for the holidays there was we'll
developed idea prevalent among them
that they were budding farewell 10 these
institutions for good. This belief was
founded on rumor that the two schools
were to be discontinued after the holidays,
in order to make necessary reductions in
the expenses of the School Department.
The rumor was given color by the fact
that some time ago a committee was ap-
pointed to see how the departments run
ming expenses could best be curtailed, and
was given special instructions to investi-
gate the relative utility and cost of the
schools named. This committee consisted
of DR.. Charles A. Clinton (chairman), 81.
L. Dodge, Emmett P. Barrett, A. Comte
Jr. and Charles A. Murdoch. The COM
mittee has not yet reported. but it has
been busily making Investigations.
Murcock is an ardent supporter of the
Polytechnic High School, bus is not an
admirer of the Normal School in its pres
ent condition. Said he last evening:
The Polytechnic School is certainly very
valuable institution, and 1 would very much
dislike to see anything done to lessen its util-
ity. There can undoubtedly De some reduc-
tions made in expenses. Certain positions may
be abolished without materially affecting the
working power of the school, ana am in favor
OF such changes.
There are now about 500 pupils in the school.
If the institution was closed, where would
they go? There is no room in the other high
schools for them. The necessity for this cur
failing seems to me to be due to a mistake OF
the present board. The first thing they did on
assuming Office, before they knew what they
had 70 contend with, was TO make a general
raise of salaries. AS result Of this they found
their salary fund was short and all the
teachers salaries were shaved % per cent one
month 10 supply the deficiency. They are now
endeavoring to repay this amount.
I am in favor of closing the Normal School OF
else recognizing it. It is of little value now
It's graduates are accepted without examina-
ton in scarcely a county in the State. 1t needs
a mantle very best man we can get--at the
head of it, and the course should be two years
instead of one. We pay third of the States
taxes, and should be allowed a normal school
maintained by the States funds. When we
ask for one they say, "you have normal
school of your own" think we would stand
better show if we had none.
DR.. Charles A. Clinton, chairman of the
committee, was also emphatic in his state
ment that no changes would be made this
year. He was very much in favor of
having the pupils of the Normal replace
half of the substitute teachers, thus saving
the City $500 year. Said he:
We have investigated the Polytechnic
School to some extent. It is very expensive
institution, and a great deal of money has
been spent on it. The City of San Francisco
does not receive one cent from the State for
the maintenance of such Institutions. The at
titude of the State is that it viii help maintain
the primary and grammar grade schools, but ii
the City wishes any OF these higher institutions
in order to be in the swim the citizens must
support them by their own taxes.
The committee will have meeting dur
ing the week, when something definite
will probably DE decided upon.