The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-01

HARD BLOW
TO SCHOOLS
Radical Retrenchment is
Necessary.
NIGHT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE
Kindergartens, Music. Drawing,
Etc., TO Be Discontinued.
NIGHT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE
APPROPRIATION is INADEQUATE

was held in the library of the classical
high school building at 3 o'clock last
evening. President Barney in the chair
and quorum present.
The records were declared approved
and then general business was in or
der.
The report of Superintendent Tarbell
showed that the enrolment of the first
week of the present school year was:
High school, 2013; grammar 5072; pri-
mary, 1888; special, 1885, kindergarten.
1913; total, q, $40. The total increase over
last year is 2234. The high school pupils
are divided as follows: English high,
695: classical, 342; Hope street, 532
Johnston annex, 62; manual training
high, 1872; total, 2013. The great in
crease i'm high school attendance, near
ly 20 per cent, IL made up OF the fol-
lowing elements: From annexed dis
trict, 116; from junior department at
Hope street, 1913: from ordinary in
crease, 100; total. 399.
The Hope street high school just
opened has 532 pupils. which almost
equals the seating capacity of the build
ing. Sixty-five of the pupils In this
school are from private and parochal
schools. The English high school has
two rooms of pupils in the classical
building. The manual training school
has colony i'm the classical building
occupying two school rooms and reel
tation room. The attendance in the
annexed district is 1913 pupils. Sub
tracing the attendance of the annexed
district from the total increase. There
is an increase In the former city limits
of sos.
The report was received and ordered
printed in the records.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT.
When the reports OF committees were
called for, by unanimous consent, the
report OF the executive committee was
taken up out of Its order and was read
by President Barney.
The main features of the report was
a statement to the effect that on the
work on it's present lines the schools
would need s717, ,032.96. The amount al
lowed for the support of the schools in
the appropriation bill Is s57500O, to-
gether with the receipts from the state
and other sources estimated at $4,000,
i'm all 100000, leaving a. deficiency OF
s91, ,032 .96 from the estimates or the
school committee. There is already a
deficiency from last year OF s91972.32
which must be met This eeHditieH-ef
affairs compels reduction Of expenses.
and there is but one way to accom-
plish this.
MUST BE CUT OFF.
Upon the school system and as part
OF IL have been engrafted certain lines
of work, which, no matter how impor-
tant or useful. must be cut off. This
will include, first. the evening schools.
then come kindergartens and cooking
schools, and also overseers OF several
studies, and by the plan proposed the
saving would be: Teachers I'm music,
fan In drav wi n
visor I'm penmanship, $1,000; teachers in
physical culture, 5000; cooking teach
ers, 1890; supplies for cooking schools
1856; sewing teachers. $3.50; supplies,
$77: evening schools. $4,000. The dis
continuance of these special teachers
and of the attendance at the cooking
schools would also be a saving of $1,000
now paid for transportation over our
street car system. The city also at the
present time sustains So free scholar
ships in the Rhode Island School of De-
sign at a cost OF SIS per pupil or $500
in ALL $500 OF this sum comes from the
state. BY sending only so many pupils
as will be paid for by the state appro-
priation. a saving of s400 can be made,
and a total OF $50. .49l.46 can be saved.
The report was received and ordered
printed.
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED.
Mr.. Joslin, from the executive COM
ee-preseated- the- following -resolu-
tions. and asked their passage:
Resolved, That for the ensuing school
year the evening schools be omitted.
and that on and after the 10Th day of
October, 1898. the kindergartens and
cooking schools be closed and instruc-
tlon I'm sewing discontinued. and the
special teachers and supervisorsain mu-
sic, drawing, penmanship, physical cul-
ture cooking and sewing be dismissed :
that the present arrangement with the
Rhode Island School OF Design be dis
continued. and arrangements be made
for such tuition only as will be covered
by the state appropriation for that pur-
pose. that the celebration of Arbor Day
be abandoned. and the present practice
OF sending written notices To parents
or guardians in case of the absence or
pupils be discontinued. except In such
cases as the teacher feels especially
require such action TO be taken.
Resolved. That the utmost economy
be enioined upon our teachers and
pupils I'm the use OF books. supplies and
all kinds OF school property. and that
the superintendent and supervisors OF
grammar and primary schools give spe-
cial attention TO the enforcement of this
recommendation
Resolved. That the executive com
mittee be and is hereby authorized and
directed To close the schools at such
time I'm June. 1899. as II shall find IL
necessary TO prevent any increase of
the deficit in the school funds at the end
OF the present school year.
Mr.. Gardiner did not think the matter
should be acted upon hastily. and he
moved that ~ lay ON the table FOR one
month. and be printed for distribution
TO the members.
Mr.. Manchester objected TO delay. and
was supported by Mr.. Devenish. who
thought action should be taken on the
recommendation OF the committee at
once.
MIR. GARDENERS AMENDMENT.
Mr. Gardeners motion not being sec
onded ne offered an amendment. in or
der TO provide greater economy provid-
ing that the supervisors of the gram
mar and primary schools be dispensed
with. and that the salaries ~ the en-
ployes of the school committee from
$1,000 20 $500 be reduced per cent,
and salaries of $1,000 and over be re-
duced 10 per cent. The amendment was
not seconded.
Mr. Mccarthy regretted very much 10
have the school work curtailed. but the
people did not want the taxes raised
Continued on Page Three.