The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-07-15
SCHOOL IN DISTRESS
German Institution On Sher-
man Avenue May Close
in the Fall.
no FUNDS FOR TEACHERS SALARIES
Various Causes Assigned for the
Decay of the School-Prin-
cipal's Statement.

The German-American school on Sher-
man avenue is in a bad state financially
and may be discontinued. The condition
of the institution was discussed by the
trustees at a special meeting on Monday
night last, when it was decided to call
mass meeting in Arion Hall of the
patrons, friends and alumni of the school
on July Is and leave it TO them to decide
whether the school shall be closed or re-
organized and continued in the fall.
At the meeting of the trustees Treas-
urer William Frankenbach reported bills
outstanding to the amount of $1,000. while
the total amount in his hands consisted
of $400 in the bank and $780, the receipts
of concert given recently. The de-
ficieney is over $500. The greater amount
of the Indebtedness is due the teachers.
who have not been paid their salaries for
the last term. The trustees decided to
make up the deficiency by subscribing
the amount themselves. They do not feel,
however, that they can contrive to run
the institution unless il can be made to
pay expenses At present the school Is
of high grade and prepares its pupils
for entering the High School There is
also a kindergarten department. If it is
found that the school cannot be made to
PetJ eiS ~ 10 A14 a. ptSSclll IL may D6 cOli-
tinued solely as a kindergarten
The school was founded in 1879 as q
kindergarten. 1t grew and the elementary
studies were introduced. 1t continued to
grow until finally there were seven classes
and the pupils were turned out ready to
enter High School In 1882 Carl August
Graupner became principal of the school
and has remained at its head ever since.
sl-a -.
and the institution was more than pay
ing expenses. In 1896 the number fell to
217. while last term there were but 100
pupils.
The falling off in the attendance it II
alleged by certain of The trustees is due
to a disagreement between Principal
Graupner and the teachers IT. is said
that they are opposed to his. antiquated
methods and do not recognize his
authority as they should This constant
friction has it is alleged has interfered
with the teaching and parents have with
drawn their children 1t is limited that In
the event of a reorganization of the
school there will also be changes in the
faculty. The teachers at present are:-
William Horn William Karstner, Henry
Fruney, Miss f. Saft and Miss e.
Eyers.
The kindergarten Department is in
charge of Miss Anna Kann. The teachers,
it is said, will not be paid their warrants
for the last quarter until September !.
The trustees of the sinssitation are:-
President, Charles Petree; Vice President,
G. w. Augustine; Secretary. Louis Seq
gel: Treasurer, William Frankenbachs
John Mehl, Hilarius Pattberg. William
Diffenbach Robert Van Cleft and Henry
CaStens. President sGraupner was seen
by reporter this morning. at his. home.
on Germania avenue. .fie saia-ftha he
knews nothing about any disagreement
among the teachers. He is perfectly sat
islied with them and believes that they,
are competent and have the interests OF
the school at heart. He had not heard
Of any plan to remove him. The =. faalng Lung
times and the fact that there IS little
business being done at present IN that
section. AS to the allegations regarding
his incompetency he referred the report-
er to the mothers of his pupils. Principal
Graupner is 62 years old and has been
ohpr