The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-10
TO HOLD ON TO ITS PROPERTY.
THE SCHOOL BOARDS REPLY TO
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

the Henry and Anderson Street
SchooIs-superinten Ash
mOre's Report of the 'WOrI1 of
Schools During OctOber-He Com
mends the Teachers and the Nor
NAL Class.
The November meeting of the board of
education was held last night at the Chat
ham Academy. President Col G. A. Mer-
GER presided.
After reading the minutes of the two
previous meetings. Superintendent Ash
more read his report.
Since your last regular meeting the
work of the schools has progressed in
very satisfactory manner, and the pros
pect is encouraging. The damage done
to the school property by the recent storm
has been considerable, and the effect has
been to reduce the enrolment in the
country districts where in some cases the
buildings have been so damaged that it
has been necessary to occupy rooms whose
seating capacity is much less than the de-
mand for admission to these schools. Not
withstanding this, however, there is a
greater attendance now both in the city
and country than ever before in the his
tory of the schools The night school was
reopened last week with an enrolment of
Il pupils. This is a smaller enrolment
than that of corresponding period of last
year, but it must be remembered that
this school, by order of the board was
reopened one month later this year than
it was last year. The board is fortunate
in securing the services of good teachers
for this school, and there is every reason
10 expect good results from its operation.
at gives me much pleasure to report
the good work done by the normal class,
and the commendable interest manifested
by the teachers in this important depart
ment of our educational system. All the
teachers in the city attend the meetings
of this class once week, the white teach
ers on Friday afternoons and the colored
teachers on Wednesday afternoons. The
class for the white teachers is divided into
three sections, and each section pursues
a course of study in educational methods
specially adapted to the daily work of the
teachers composing that section. Notes
are freely taken for practical applca-
ton in the school room, and the discus
sions and criticisms accompanying the
work bring out the best thought Of the
class. At every fourth meeting some
topic of general and practical interest to
the whole class is discussed. The last one
of these topics was ''The Governing Pow
be, How to Train the Moral Character of
Children"
I'm addition to the regular teachers in
the city schools there are besides fifty
four others now attending the normal
class, in accordance with the provisions
of the board, with a view of preparing
themselves to be teachers. The special
fitness and the general character of the
applicants for positions in our schools is
subject of no less Importance than the
improvement of the teachers already en-
ployed. AS water cannot rise above its
fountain head, so the character of the
schools is not likely to excel that of its
teachers. The present work of the normal
class is directed to the improvement of
the teachers in their professional duties
in the class room, and 1 trust that future
facilities may enable us to improve tine
character of this work, which must react
with great benefit upon all the schools.
1.-The two grades recently established at
the Henry street school has met the lie
mands for admissions in that section OF
the city, but there are a few young chill
dren in the northern portion for whom
seats have not yet been provided. nope,
however. to be able to admit them all De-
fore long.
IT cannot commend too highly the spirit
of cooperation which the teachers mani
fest in their work, and the promptness
and fidelity with which they discharge
their duties. Every one COuHtClcQ Win
the schools. 1 believe, is endeavoring to
do his full duty, and the results so far
attained, hope, will compare favorably
with those of preceding years"
Commissioner Denmark reported that
in company with Mr.. Stovall he had Wis
tied the Anderson street and Henry street
schools, and found everything in a very
satisfactory condition.
President Mercer reported that under
the resolution of the board authorizing
him to borrow So, 0O0 he had obtained the
note Of the county commissioners, and
had borrowed $4,000 from the Southern
Bank, using the county note as collat-
eral He also presented a draft of the
new lease to be made with the trustees
of the Chatham Academy for that build
ing The reports were received as infor-
nation.
President Mercer from the special COM
mittee appointed on that subject sub
mitted the following interesting report on
the resolutions OF the county commission
ers requesting the board of education to
turn over certain school property to that
body.
To the Board of Public Education for
the City Of Savannah and the Counts of
Chatham. Gentlemen: The special com
mittee, to which was referred the anpli-
cation of the commissioners of Chatham
county for the transfer TO said commits
sioners without any stipulation or condi-
QlllOHS Ol the Alllt " the SCHOOL property
known as the Henry and Anderson street
schools, having carefully examined the
law applicable to the question beg leave
to report as follows: The general law of
the state provides that the county board
of education shall have power to dur.
chase, lease or rent school sites; to build,
repair or rent school houses; to purchase
maps, globes and school furniture and to
make all other arrangements Of this kim
necessary to the efficient operation of
the school under their care; and the said
boards shall also be, and are, invested
with the title, care and custody of ali
school houses, sites and other school
property, with all power to control the
same in such manner as they think will
best subserve the interests of public
schools. Further, 1t is enacted that. thew
shall have \power to receive any citt.
grant. donation or devise made for the
use of public schools within their re-
spective countless; and all oonveyances OF
real estate, which may be made to said
board, shall vest the property in said
board of education and their successors
in office.
,arnis 10 a N axnrass provisfo,, 80 A. ..