The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-28
THE APPEAL HEARD.
School Teacher Jennie III. Ramage
Before the Commission.

At 1c O'Clock this morning Commits
sioner stockwell Investigated the appeal
OF the Edgewood members of The Gran
ston school committee who disagreed
with the majority of the committee on
the support of Superintendent Almy in
his discharging from the Edgewood
school Miss Jennie III. Ramage, who had
been engaged by the district committee.
Messrs. Lester A. Freeman and Robert
L. Budlong are the appellants.
The trouble occurred over the question
OF examination.
The COMMITTEES claim that Miss Ram
age failed in her qualifying examina-
tions, thus proving her unit 10 be a
teacher; while the appellants claim that
Miss Ramage had already been appointed
a teacher. therefore no qualifying exami-
nations could bear upon her case.
Mr. Freeman, in his address to the
commission, said that Miss Ramage had
given up position as teacher in Penn
sylvunia TO accept the position of teach
ing the an 8 grades OF the Edgewood
school. On August "a Miss Ramage re-
ceived letter from Superintendent Almy
requesting her TO be present at an ex-
animation Of new teachers in Cranston.
She was dangerously sick at the time
and sent dictated letter TO that effect.
Mr.. Almy then replied, advising her 10
take care of herself and wait till she was
well before taking up the school work.
AT the opening OF the September term
she was still too sick to take up her work
and a substitute was appointed. On Octo-
Der she reported at the school, but was
met by Superintendent Almy, who forbid
her teaching till she passed her exami-
nations. She replied that she would take
the examinations al anytime during the
week, but Almy was obdurate and insisted
on the examinations, Mr.. Freeman came
in about this time, and advised Miss
Ramsge to open the school, which she
did.
That evening and the following day
Miss Ramage took the required examiDa-
tions, but on account of the nervous
strain she was under, failed TO attain
the average 20 per cent. Accordingly, on
Thursday she was discharged.
Superintendent Almy then stated bis
reasons for acting as he did. After re-
ceiving list OF the names OF the new
teachers he sent notifications TO them To
the effect that an examination would be
held at Cranston. All responded but Miss
Remage.
Later Superintenden Mt Almy informed
the principal of the Edgewooc school
that Miss Ramage must be forbidden
TO teach till she had passed such an ex-
animation, as he saw fit to give. The
principal refused TO take any part in the
matter. so Almy was on hand Monday
morning TO forbid her teaching. As
previously stated, Miss Ramage taught
that day and failing to pass the exami-
nation which followed, was discharged.
When she was engaged she was given to
understand that her. diplomas were suf'
ficient guarantee and that no qualifying
mination would be required. The
only examipat ion would be formality
which should amount TO nothing. The
whole committees was present and eX.
pressed their views on the matter, but
Commissioners Stockwell will hold the
matter over for consideration.
1t will be the deciding OF pretty
question In school law whether or no .
teacher already engaged can be subjected
to qualifying examination of a super
intendent.