New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-19

OF THE RIDENOUR CASE.
There was considerable discussion yesterday
among the members Of the Board Of Education
corning the bill introduced in the Senate Albany
By Major Peter II. McNulty, providing that school
teachers and principals cannot be dismissed from
their places except upon specific charges and after
trials in which the teachers may be represented
b. counsel In view Of the recent dropping from
BrookyA's teaching force Of Miss Lee and William
b. Ridenour, some members Of the Board were IN
cllned to believe that Major McNulty's bill was in
PRODUCED partly for the purpose Of gaining official
dsappTOval in the State Capitol Of the Boards
methods. Senator McNulty, when a member Of the
Board OF Education. one OF Mr.. Ridenours
stanches friends. and until the day OF his ressna-
ton from the Board spared efforts secure to-
Mr.. Ridenour public trial. he greatly Dis
appointed when the Board o, Education at It's last
meeting summary dsm ssed the principal by a vote
OF "a TO y
Ii Will be seen from q study OF Senator McNutys
bill that Il calls for much the line Of procedure
demanded by Mr.. RID noun and his support
ers, and that after due deberat.on was denied him
by majority Of the Board
Senator McNultys bill was introduced as an
amendment to Chapter sc of tho Laws of 1874 1t
provides that teacher principal can be dis
missed from his her place by any board OF trus-
tees In school district. or by any board OF edu-
cation IN city village. except for cause after
a trial upon charges specified and prepared in writ
ing. copy of such charges so preferred shall be
served upon accused principal teacher at
least ten days before the trial upon such charges.
and must contain. in addition to such charges, the
names and addresses of the persons making such
charges and the designation of the time and place,
when and where the trial will proceed; az such trial
the accused may be represented BY counsel The
bill also provides that the dec sion OF the Board In
such trial shall be filed with the County clerk
within days after the decision has been reached.
and that certified copy OF the decision shall be
served upon tha accused teacher who, within thirty
days may secure writ Of certiorar! 10 review the
action OF the Board.
The Brooklyn Lizard OF Education has much more
freedom in Its work than this bill would 6lve ~
When teacher or principal IL believed 20 be in
competent. or Is suspected OF unAecominG conduct.
charges which are brought before the Teachers
Committee o. the Board Of Education. The
reports It's findings to the entire Board,
with sugg astion 10 the course that should
be taken. The Board then mas he power to
dismiss the teacher without trial. The teacher
has me privilege OF appealing 70 me state Superin-
tendent Of duc tion Tor redress, but has no other
means OF defending himself.
Superintendent William II. Maxwell, when seer
by a Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon. refused
10 discuss the Dl of Senator McNLliy, saying tina;
II would be improper for him TO % 50 until me
Board Of Education had considered Il. He said.
however, that he had not studied Il carefully. ana
not fully aware 0: its purposes. lie ADDED.
Il feel free 10 say this. however. that no city ~
this State in the country for that matter ~
liberal in its treatment OF teachers than BROOK
cay holds his position during good behavior and
efficiency. In many places, on the contrary the
custom prevails OF dropping teachers at the end OF
the year without notice ana without assigning cause
for the action don't believe there - another city
where teachers Of their positions as long
they deserve them as they are in BrooAiyn."