The San Francisco call., 1895-12-29

course of four years is none too long. There is
never any lack OF applications for positions
from teachers of thorough training, experience
and ability. The salaries paid instructors In
this department warrant the employment or
the very best, and there is no reason why any
shortcut or easy method for obtaining certifi-
Gates should be provided.
Consolidation of classes-Our attention has
been particularly drawn to the Webster School,
in the rear of the Lincoln Grammar building.
This school is not only unnecessary, but it is
menace to the health and safety of the children
who attend 1t. 1t is surrounded by wooden
buildings, In the heart OF the City, and a ire
conld readily sweep through that portion OF
the town. The building itself and the yards
are of the most antiquated and dilapidated
character. Access thereto is obtained only
through small alleyway, ana the whole build
ing and its location are disgrace TO the City.
1t appears, moreover, that there is abundant
seating capacity in the schools in that vicinity.
The Jefferson, Longfellow, Whittier and Cleve-
land are all situated south of Market street
and have room to spare and the scholars in
the Webster School could be distributed
through these schools with advantage 10 them
selves and a large saving to the department.
From detailed statement on file in the
Office of your board it appears that from 1885
to 1898 there was steady and extraordinary
increase in the expense of maintaining the
public schools of this City, although there was
no material increase in the number of pupils.
During this time the cost OF living and OF all
the necessities and luxuries of lie has been
steadily decreasing, but the additional appro-
absorbed by the appointment of new teachers
and general increase of salaries. Meanwhile
necessary repairs to the school buildings were
neglected, until many of them were unfit for
use.
In the fiscal year 1s84-s5 the average at
tendance of pupils was 32,1S3; number of
teachers, 734; salaries paid, $6S1 ,679 81. In
1928 the attendance was 32, 799; number
of teachers 929 ian increase of 1857; salaries,
$3.50 ,24I % ian increase of $168, ,561 64). The
total expense OF conducting the schools for
that year amounted to 81, ,134757 %.
In the fiscal year 1894 $50 teachers were
employed to take care of 80 ,939 pupils, while
in the fiscal year 1895 904 teachers were en-
ployed to. take care of 1924 pupils, ah in
crease of thirty-four teachers to an increase of
thirty-fve pupils, or practically one additional
teacher for each additional pupil.
The extravagant policy which had so long
prevailed received its first check under the
administration of the last Board of Education
In the fiscal year 1S93-94, with an attendance
of 81, ,939, the number of teachers was reduced
10 S66, the salaries TO S814, 10 SO, and the
total expenses OF the department to $685.
009 80. We see no reason to doubt that the
schools were as efficiently maintained during
that year as at any time before or since. This
economical policy was continued until the last
board retired on the 1st of January of this
year, and ii appears that the present board
received a surplus of about $4,000 over the