The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-21


Congdon Resigns as Supervisor of
Music, Although Reelected.
The school board, at its meeting yes
terday, made appointments of teachers
for all the public schools for the next
year, with the exception Of the high
school courses. These were passed I'M
til this afternoon, when the board will
again take up the list Of appointments.
Upon the recommendation Of the
committee on schools, Principal j. C.
Bryant, of the Humboldt high school,
was made principal Of the Central high
school, and Prof Heavy S. Baker, CT
Mr.. Bryant's place in The Humboldt
school. The principalship Of the JEFF
ferson school was left open until the
next meeting of the board.
Principal George Weitbrecht, Of the
Mechanic Arts school, was appointed
as teacher of physics and chemistry in
the Central high school and super|i-
sor of the Mechanic Arts school, the
change being occasioned by the con-
solidation of the academic department
of the Mechanic Arts school with that
of the Central school.
Assistant Superintendent ]. D. Bond
was reelected, at salary Of $1,000 per
year, an increase of 500, and Miss Sar-
ah G. Brooks, supervisor of kindergar-
ten and primary, was reelected at a
salary of 81, 800 per year, $500 less than
last years schedule. Prof. c. H. Cong
don was reelected, but his resignation
was afterwards read.
Miss Gertrude Stoker, supervisor Of
drawing, and Prof. c. J. Hermann,
supervisor of physical training, were
also reelected.
Principal S. A. Farnsworth, Of the
Cleveland high school, was reelected.
There were number of minor
changes made in the local teaching
staffs of the several graded schools,
but none of any consequence were pro-
vided for.
The ungraded schools were discontin-
ued.
The board expects, by the consolida-
ton of the academic departments of
ing Of about $4,000, and at the same
time not disturb the technical part of
the Mechanic Arts school.
At today's meeting the list Of teach
ers, both in the Central and Mechanic
Arts schools, will be thoroughly gone
over, and several will be changed
around to accommodate the consolida-
ton of the academic departments of
the two schools. Besides the saving,
the vacancy caused by the department
moving into the Central high school
will give a half dozen or more gram
mar grade rooms, of which the Eighth
ward is very much in need at this time.
President Zimmerman introduced a
resolution calling for the extension Of
training school certificates to apply to
all grammar grades. At present the
training school diplomas only entitle
the holder to teach the seventh grade
and below The resolution DaSSpd
President Zimmerman introduced
another resolution calling for change
in the school year. To accommodate
the large number of pupils who grad
uate annually from the graded schools
to the high school it was proposed to
hold graduation exercises in the Cen
trail high school twice a year, in Feb
ruary and June, and also admit pupils
from the grades twice a year, namely,
| in September and February. The board
! voted unanimously to make this
| change
Secretary Healy was authorized to
| call for bids for the printing for the
| coming year. Mr.. Franklin wanted it
| understood that local industry would
| be given the preference on contracts.
| The whole matter was referred to the
committee on contracts with power to
| act.
Inspector Corning offered resolu-
| ton calling for the consolidation of the
| two departments of the Mechanic Arts
and the Central high school, which was
| passed, with only one vote recorded
against it, that of Inspector E. o.
| Zimmerman.
The resignation of Prof. c. H Cong
| don was received, and the board &C
! copied it with regret, instructing Sec
| rotary Healy to so notify the retiring
| supervisor of music.
Although nothing definite has been
| given out, it has been said that MIR.
| Congdon's place will not be filled this
! year. The board believes it will not
| secure as efficient an instructor as Mr..
! Congdon was, and therefore no action
| will be taken, at least not until next
! fall Complimentary expressions were
heard from several Of the board mem
! bers as to the excellent work done in
the schools by Prof. Congdon.
Supt A. ]. Smith then submitted a
| letter to the board which was first re-
| ferred to the committee on schools. Mr..
Smith was, he said, very reluctant to
make any suggestions which would
! look to a radical change in the public
schools of the city. The financial diff
ficulty with which the board was con-
| fronted was paramount to all else. He
suggested as remedy for the prospac-
| tive shortage in the school funds next
I y
amount of $4,000. This could only be
done through submission to the vot-
ers of the city. If this should fail, they
would be in position to consider wha:
legislative action was possible and
proper. Mr.. Smith took a rather en-
couraging view of the situation, and
| said in closing with reference to the
| pay of teachers:
| l also suggest that a special committee be
appointed to enquire into the question OF the
| higher work of the system as represented II
! the body of supervisors and several high
schools, with view to the making Of thai
work less expensive, but not less effec i've
| than at present
teachers, who were placed upon an advanc-
| ing schedule and who, since 1893 have re-
ceived no advance, should have an Increase
| of salary, and suggest that all such teacheT s
now receiving less than $50 per month, ha, {
| an increase of S. per month. l am aware Of
the consequences that may follow this act. n
most unusual hardship that has been borre
| with commendable PATIENCE hard ship. Il
seems. to me, If continued would be no hine
| less than injustice.
| l am aware, also that inaccuracies and
mistakes, not beyond correction, trust, may
have been made in The assignment OF teach.
very great amount OF work and the great
weight Of respons. bility placed upon me dur.
irg the closing days Of the school year.
The committee on schools, which
| spent all AFTERNOON and part of the
evening wrestling with the various
matters which came up for considera.
ton, decided to lay the matter OF
finances over until some later date
when the board would be unhampereG
with other business
The text book committee also sub
mitted its~repert, but after consider.
able discussion it was laid over, as tolc
of in another column.
The committee engineers and fani+or, -
ported:
Your committee recommends that the or