Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-10
BOARD Of EDUCATION.

A Special Meeting Held Last Night to
Consider General Matters.
More Textbooks Adopted for the
High School Course-Dr. Jepson
Makes a Statement Concerning
Reports Circulated in Reference
to Textbook Committee-Meas-
ures Adopted to Put Into Effect
tho Provisions Of the Compulsory
Attendance School Law Other
Matters.
The Board of Education held a special
meeting to consider the selection of addi-
tional textbooks for the High school
and to take up any general business that
might be presented. Col j. A. Miller
was in the chair. The committee on
text-baaks recommended several books
that had been referred to them for recon-
sideration at the last meeting.
The following books were adopted last
night: Painters English and American
Literature, Natural Music Reader, Pages
Theory and Practice of Teaching, Whites
School Management. c. M. Thompson's
bid for maps, amounting to SSS TO- was
accepted, as it was the lowest bid.
The committee on teachers and school
made a report, recommending that the
employing of a special teacher for draw
ing in the High school be dispensed with;
that an extra teacher for Lincoln school
;~to hot Mrc
German teacher at the Clay school. give
one half her time to Clay school and the
other half to the High school. These
recommendations were adopted. The COM
mittee also suggested that the Board pro-
cure the school books for the High school,
so as to get the benefit of Introductory
prices for the scholars. Upon motion this
matter was referred back to the COM
mittee to make necessary arrangements.
DR.. Jepson asked as a matter of per-
sonal privilege that he be permitted to
make a statement to the Board. He was
given the floor and said he wished to
deny certain charges that had been cir
culated about him as chairman, and
other members of the textbook COM
mittee on selecting the books to be used
in the High school course. He said that
it had been reported that the committee
had been unfavorably disposed towards
the American Book Company, and favor
ed a rival concern. He easily disproved
this by showing that the American Com
pany had been granted the next to the
largest number of books selected for the
High school, and that this company had
more books in the public schools of the
oft tlo,,
bined. DR.. Jepson said that he and the
other members of the committee had been
strictly impartial, although the insulting
proposition had been made to him by the
representative of the American Book
Company to get an outside person
to influence the Board to favor
this concern. He had Indignantly
refused this proposition and the
representative of the company had gone
out and told members of the Board that
the committee was working in the inter-
est of another book house. These re-
ports, DR.. Jepson declared, had gained
credence and had Influenced the votes of
several members of the Board.
Upon the request of the Superintendent
the compulsory attendance school law
passed by the last Legislature. received
some attention by the Board. Mr.. Noble
stated that it was necessary for the
Board to take some action on the matter.
as the law included Independent school
districts, such as Wheeling as well as
the balance of the State and a penalty
was prescribed for the failure to comply
with the law on the part of the teachers
in not reporting the non-attendance of
ltn !,
referred to the committee on rules and
regulations, who were given the power
to employ legal counsel to formulate
rules for carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the new law
A communication from the commission
ers of Madison district, was read stating
that the teachers in the grammar de-
partment of the Lincoln schol had been
advanced SO as to furnish a sufficient
help in teaching the High school studies
IN that school, and that Miss Glascoe
had been appointed to grade D. The
appointments of the Madison commits
sioners were confirmed
The committee on buildings and grounds
asked Tor a statement of the wishes of
the Board in providing quarters for the
Janitor of the High school and giving
him sufficient room. It was suggested
that he be provided with four rooms.
but the whole matter was referred hack
to the committee with power to act
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Noble
which provided for the purchase of hooks
for INDECENT pupils by the commits. on
teachers and schools, was passed. The
Board then adjourned