The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-25
@NEE
In

about Z 40 OO0 unprovidsc Tor.
proper that tho school committee should Mt
tempt TO conduct the schools on the present
basis unless sufficient funds for that purpose
are provided.
From various quarters criticisms have been
made upon tho expenditure made by the
school committee, in view OF which it seems
well to call attention 20 the folio owing facts:
OF the 539 400, estimated expenses OF the
schools for next yenr, SS04. 200 IN for salaries.
which, with the exception OF some three or
four clericalspositions are fixed by ordinance.
Forty thousand dollars for fuel Is certainly
not a natter within the control OF the school
committee, as 10 IL necessary TO furnish sufi-
cient fuel to heat the buildings with tho ap-
paratus furnished by the city.
The amount Of S35. 600 for evening schools is
fixed by ordinance.
The amount OF $4,000 for books and sup
plies is in the main required TO be expendsd cd
by the laws of the state with regard TO free
text books.
Tn. item entered for Contingencies" is
Sl2.0 600. This covers all miscellaneous ex-
penses. which. with few exceptions are in
evItsble. and csnnot be avoided by even par
s%ony on the G part psrs o. o. tho school sommittee'
bookkeeper's item, and merely means that
that amount OF the city water Is estimated to
be used by the schools
From this IL will oe seen that OF the SJ40, 0U0
OF expenses less than per cent can be-
avoided by any course which the school com
mittee can take, unless il reduces the salaries
OF teachers below the rates marked out by
ordinance. Your committee feel assured that
the most rigid economy can save little, IL
anything. from our present expenses without
injuring the efficiency OF our schools
Your committee feel that this matter should
be brought 20 public attention, and that the
city aui horities should decide whether they
prefer the schools to be conducted at less
expense to the injury OF the gchools. or TO
provide funds necessary for conducting them
on the present basis: and that whatever de-
school year should be- made so that the ex-
penditures should not exceed the amount
availsble for their payment.
Your committee recommends that special
committee be appointed ON ways anG means
to confer with the appropriate committees of
the City Council. and endeavor 10 have tho
amount OF the appropriation for public
schools for next year increased: and that
such committee. In tho event of failure TO
obtain such increase, report TO the school
committee what measures must be taken to
reduce tine expenses OF the schools 90 the
amount appropriated by the city for their
support
of the accompanying resolution. Respectfully
submitted for IRE executive committee
WALTER II. BARNEY. Chairman.
Resolved. That a special committee of five
on ways and means No appointed by the chair
TO confer with the. Joint standing committees
OF the City Council on finance and education,
and endeavor To have She amount of tho
appropriation for public schools for next wear
increased so as TO provide for the estimated
EXPENSES OF the SCHOOLS, and that such com
mittee. in the event of failure to obtain such
increase, report 20 the school committee wha.
measures mast be taken to reducs the ex-
penses of conducting the schools TO the
amount appropriated by the City Council for
their support.
The resolution was adopted without dis
cussion and Messrs. West, Joslin, White
and Dorchester were appointed on the
committee.
The appointment OF Frances T.. Mosher,
elecution teacher in the high schools was
confirmed.
An amendment to section 4, article -,
of the bylaws, providing for the OPEN
ing of public schools any time during
October, was adopted.
Thirty-two bills, amounting TO 1915. 81,
were allowed.
The committee appointed to inquire in
to the ventilation I'd sanitary conditions
of the California avenue and State street
schools reported and recommended
following resolution, which was passed:
Resolyed. That the committee on rela-
tions to the City Council be and Is here
by requested TO transmit to either branch
of the City Council or the committee on
city property the following recommended
tious: California avenue, larger bonnets
to be placed over the fresh air inlet. and
that four-inch soil pipe be run from the
teachers water closet through the roof,
and hub traps be placed in the wash
bowls. Also that the dry closets be re-
moved aud n water flushing system be in
stalled in place thereof
A resolution was adopted to ask the
LEGISLATURE to so amend the statutes as to
make the powers and duties OF school
committees throughout the State uni
form.
Superintendent Tarbell was authorized
10 arrange for the observance of Arbor
Day. There was no appropriation, how
ever, as the city auditor had stated that
there In no money. Mr.. West said he
would guarantee to raise s75 OF the $50
needful.