New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-08
THREAT TO ABOLISH THE BOARD.
THE METHOD OF SCHOOL FUND DISTRICT
TON STIRS Up THE MAYOR AND
THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE.

TIE method by which he Board os Education has
siributed ihe general school fund amo7g the
horouehs Of the city has stirred Mayor Van Wyck
ard other members ~ the Board Of Estimate and
Apportonment 10 such a pitch ~ indignation that
they are threatening 10 try 10 secure legislation
which will abolish the Board Of Education. bill
MAJ be drawn by the Corporation Counsel 10 leris-
late tho Board ~ ONCE and create small
salaried commission 20 Ia appointed by the Mayor
To have charge Of the .choo funds and distribute
them
In explaining the trouble over the distribution Of
tho general school furd. Corporation Counsel
whalen said Yesterday that tho school boards Of
the borourhs sent 20 the Roard ~ Education esti-
mates ~ the sums reeded for the support ~ the
schools. amounting altogether TO about Sonoo
The Board Of Education separated the whole sum
into the special and general school funds Then. at
the request Of tho Board. the Corporation Counsel
gave opinion that the general fund must be ap-
portoned among the borouehs. Nothing was said
in the opinion. which was written by Mr.. Blandy
under the instruction Of Mr.. Whalen, as to the
method by which the fund was to be apportioned
The BOARD appor'ioned the fund on the basis OF the
number OF school sessions held in the several
horoughs. In Brooklyn. where there were not
enough school buildings TO accommodate the school
children. II the custom 20 hold two school
sessions n day In each school This custom In
creased the number ot school sessions in Brooklyn
and allowed that borough by the Board NJ Educa-
ZION me,nod or apportionment 10 receive SZ0o"V OF
the general fund that should hive been allotted to
Manhattan and The Bronx. $4,000 that fairly be-
lonGed 10 Queens and So OOo NJ Richmonds share.
The Law Department. Mr Whalen said yesterday
could not he held responsible FOR the Board OF
Educators method OF distributing the fund. Other
members Of the Board of Estimate and Apportion,
ment said they thought the Brooklyn School Board
had outwitted tho Board Of Education. and IT was
plain that the BOARD Of Education could not be
trusted IN manage the public schools OF the city.
one of them said: "A system ia needed. and
the Legislature Will be asked 10 legislate the pres
ont BOARD n Education out OF office. II would he
better to have paid School Commits sion.
!. W Mack. member Of the Board Of Educa-
'on. said yesterday that the Corporation Counsel =
Office was not al fault. and neither was the Board
81 Educa ton NJ fault. IAN Of the trouble he
said. lies with the charter. and this IL only an
other evidence Of It's loose. spshod CONSTRUCTION
The Borough Of Brooklyn is now enjoying double
proportion Of the fund In that At each school
capable Of accommodating ono thousand children
they have each day two sessions. morning and
afternoon and thus take In two thousand children
each day also usirE sets Of teachers. In Man
haitian Borough n is different as each school
keeps the children during all hours II Is open
and no new classes como I'm the afternoon. Con
sequently We receive only the single apportion
mcnt.'