The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-13
CLASS ROOMS 0vERCRoWnED.
MORE ACCOMMODATIONS PRovID-
ED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Two AuultlOHal TRADES 10 he EStGb-
lished in the Henry Street school.
superintendent Ashmore's Report
to the Board of Education on the
Condition of the Schools.
The October meeting of the board of ed
ucation last night was largely attended.
President Mercer and Messrs. Read, DEN
mark, Tattnall, Estill, Saussy, Stovall,
O'Byrne, Lee Roy Meyers and Herman
Myers were present.
Supt. Ashmore read his first monthly
report since the opening Of the schools, as
follows:
In accordance with the rules of the
board, the schools were opened on Thurs
day, Oct. 1, and Notwithstanding the de-
moralizlng effects of the great storm two
days before, the attendance has been
larger than ever before in the history or
the city. The reports of last week show
that more than 200 white children have
applied for seats in the schools this year
in excess of the number who applied DUR
ing the corresponding period of last year.
This would seem to Indicate that the pub
slic faith in our schools is strong, and
school policy may sustain and strengthen
this confidence in our people.
The new Anderson Street school has
been thoroughly organized, and it is now
in very successful operation. The con-
venience and adaptation of the building
for school work and the proportions and
architectural beauty of the structure It.
he
tect and upon the board. Already there
are ten of its twelve class rooms Occur
pied by ten teachers and 459 pupils.
Hoping that the establishment of this
new school would render it unnecessary
to use the rooms in the upper hall of the
Henry Street school, the provisional as
signment of teachers and pupils was made
with this end in view, but the actual con-
ditions determined by the opening of the
schools showed that the Henry Street
school was much overcrowded, particu-
larly in the lower grades there being fifty
five children in the first grade, ninety in
the second and eighty-six in the third IL
was evidently necessary to divide these
grades, and as there is room in the build
ing for only one double grade, the third
grade was divided and retained at that
school, while the excess in the other
grades was transferred to the schools
nearest to the pupils. While this step was
absolutely necessary for the temporary re,
lief of the grades at the Henry Street
school, it is not satisfactory for two rea
sons First, many parents object to SEMI
ing their very young children from the
Henry school district to the Anderson
Street school, across several car tracks
w 10
secondly, even the Anderson Street schooi
cannot now accommodate the excess or
pupils in the first and second grades in
that section of the city
There appears, then, to be a de-
mand for the esta blishment of a first
and second grade at the Henry Street
school in addition to those already estab.
lished. Looking to this very exigency, 1
have not removed the desks in the hall
rooms at the Henry street school, so that
should the board see fit to establish these
two grades, everything will be found in
readiness now, except that the teachers
must be provided.
The crowded condition of the first grade
in the ST. Patrick's school made it nee
essary to divide it, and to promote the
assistant, Miss Judge, to one of these
grades. To fill the vacancy in the as
sistant's position 1 have appointed, sub
ject to your approval, Miss Anna Bell,
whose name is on our list of applicants,
and who appeared to me to be best quail
fed to fill the position.
1t became necessary to double the sec
ond grade at the Barnard street school
and Miss Turner, the next teacher in
turn, was placed in charge, while Miss
Gross, the assistant, was given the first
grade. This leaves the assistants posi-
ton at that school vacant, and awaiting
your action
I have appointed, subject to your an
in the Anderson street school, her name
appearing next upon the list Of appli-
cants.
In the necessary distribution of the pu-
pills and adjustment of the classes a few
teachers were unayoidably lowered in
grade. Among these are included some
teachers who have been long in the SER
vice OF the board, and, unless some ac-
ton be taken by the board, they must
suffer a reduction in their salaries.
All the school buildings In the city suf-
fered more or less damage from the re-
cent storm, but prompt. measures were
taken to repair all those damages, which
left the buildings seriously exposed to
still further injury by the rains. A num-
Der of minor repairs still remain to be
made. however, ana these should receive
the earliest practical attention.
The reports from the country schools
show that they also suffered considerable
damage by the storm, but steps have
been taken to have the work of the
schools go on without serious Interrupt
tor
The attendance upon the high school is
very full, especially in the girls depart
ment where the limit of accommodation
has been nearly reached. The illness OF
Mr.. Cannon, the teacher Of English has
prevented mis- attendance upon his du.
ties for several days, but a provisional
arrangement has been made by which the
work in his department is carried on in
a satisfactory manner. 1t Is expected
that he will be able to be at his post
In few days.
Upon the whole. the work Of the schools
Is progressing with much satisfaction
ana the outlook is encouraging. The new
principals all have their work well in
hand, the normal class is organized upon
a firm practical basis, and the teachers
have entered upon their duties with a
most commendable spirit. When provision
is made for a few pupils who cannot now
find places In the schools, there is every
reason to hope for a very prosperous and
successful school year
Col. Mercer. from the committee 10
which was referred the resolution passed