The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-24
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Vote to Accept Mr.. Ellis Resig-
nation,

HdttVAs
After a Long Discussion-New Arrange-
ments for Deaf School in Regard to the
Dormitory-Two High School Bows
Awaiting Hearing on Expulsion-The
Singer of Patriotic Songs.
At the regular meeting of the school
committee yesterday the whole board was
present, with the exception of DIR. Vose.
Chairman Allan read the resignation of
Mr.. G. S. Ellis as teacher in the Hig
school. He said that the resignation
was the result of his request and not the
desire of Mr. Ellis. Before the question
was put as to the accpeta noe of the resig.
nation there was long discussion. There
was universal approval of Mr.. Ellis's
qualifications as an instructor and Of his
scholarship. The difficulty was with his
discipline. Mr.. Hall argued that the
unruly scholars should be dealt with
rather than the teacher, that the High
school is different from lower schools.
and that discipline ought not to be SO re-
ouisite there. The school board should
deal with the question of discipline in
the High school and make pupils there
understand that their attendance there
is a great privilege, and that if they go
there to play they must take the conse-
quenoes.
The rest of the board, with the excep-
ton of Mayor Baxter, aruged to the con-
trary. 1t was voted o.aocept the resig-
nation, only Mr.. Hall and Mayor Baxter
voting no.
A boy named Doyle came before the
board to be given hearing as to his
having been suspended because of throw
ing chalk in Mr.. Ellis's room. He adj
mitted it and promised better conduct.
1t developed that he had been sent to
members of the board at least three times
before for being tardy and for other mis-
conduct The last time he had been
warned that at the next offense he would
be expelled, and he had promised good
conduct
There was long discussion as to his
expulsion, in which Messrs Allan,
Brownson and MCGOWAN were in favor
of allowing him to return on probation.
Messrs. Hall, Bradley and Talbot took
the other side 1t was finally, on motion
of Mr.. MCGOWAN, voted to postpone the
matter till the next meeting, another
boy having been suspended and summon
ed to appear before the board. but having
failed to do SO This other hoy is Sulli
van, captain of the football team. The
particular offense that caused his sus-
pension was mimiory of the teacher. She
told pupil to study his lesson and Sui
Ivan repeated the order to the pupil in a
disrespeotful tone of voice.
On motion of Mr. Allan, it was voted
that the chairman and secretary of the
steps to secure successor to Mr.. Ellis,
and that the salary should not exceed
$1,000.
Mr.. Brownson said that in view of the
use Of the dormitory for the Deaf school,
beginning at the first of January, it was
es. He moved that Mrs. Julia 6. Law
ton be elected matron at a salary of $3.50
year. 1t was SO voted.
He said that since the principal Nils.
Taylor and the teachers, Misses Plymp-
ton, Divine and Draper were to live and
board at tn dormitory, this must be
taken into account in their salaries. He
thought that Miss Talyor's duties would
be so much increased that she should
ave her board and no decrease of salary,
blu t that 5000 for board should be deduct
ed from the salaries of Misses Plympton
and Divine.
1t was voted that Miss Taylor should
have $500 and board Miss Plympton,
$500 and board, and Miss Devine 5000 and
board.
The dormitory will need a cook, laun-
dress and one maid, two supervisors to
care for the other needs of the children
and one man who should sleep in the
boys dorlnitory and have charge of the
boiler. ~
Miss Draper desired to act as one of the
supervisors. 1t was voted that she do SO
and receive her board therefor and that
her salary OF S425 year as teacher be
continued.
1t was voted that Miss Taylor be au-
thorized to employ the above servants
an d that they be responsible to her, with
the exception Of the man who would be
employed by the subcommittee on Deaf
school.
Mr.. Talbot called attention to the need
of washing the floors in the Centre street
school house, and made a motion that
the floors be washed. 1t was so voted
Mr.. Hall said that Miss Curtis is now
in Philadelphia and writes that she de-
sires three months extension of her
leave of absence. 1t was SO voted.
Mrs J. I. Johnson's request that her
son be transferred from the North to the
Smaller school was refused.
Mr.. Bradley reported for approval
bills for the month of S12,247.47, of
which SO, 81. Al is on the Deaf school &C.
count.
There also appeared before the commit
tee an elderly gentleman, who said that
his name was e. VI. Locke of Chelsea
NJ ass. He explained that he wished to
schools before the children. He had done
this for years. during the Rebellion, and
ever since in many public Institutions
all over the country. The songs are of
his own composition. He said: II am
not poor If I get my expenses. I'm per-
fectly satisfied"
The only wav that he got anv mopou