Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-25
B. W. Murch Appointed Assistant
Superintendent of Schools.
DUTIES OF TIE POSITION DEFINED
The Place Provided For in the
Appropriation Bill.
BON d ED OFF r

Mr.. B. w. Murch, principal of the Force
School, was today appointed by the Dis
trict Commissioners assistant superint end
ent of the public schools of the District
the appointment to take effect July l. 1899.
The District appropriation bill for the
next fiscal year provides such an office, au-
thorizes the Commissioners 10 make the
appointment. and provides an annual sal
airy of 81 900 for the officer who is to per-
form such duties as the Commissioners may
prescribe
Commissioner Ross, who has immediate
charge of the public schools, suggested to
his associates that in order that the ap-
po:ntee might familiarize himself with his
duties prior to the 1St day of July it would
seem to be appropriate to make the ap-
pOin.me7t now, to take effect on that date
In view Of his personal knowledge of Mr.
B. W. Murch, now the principal of the
Force School, and in Difference to the large
number of school trustees and citizens who
urged his appointment. Mr.. Ross recon-
mended the same. Mr. Ross also suggested
that the appOintee be required to give a
bond of 5000.
Inasmuch as the said act of Congress re-
qlb'res that the said assistant superintend-
ent shall perform such duties as the Com
asked Mr.. w. B. Powell, the sJ-
perintendent of schools, to submit an
outline of the duties to be imposed upon
him. Mr. Powell did so, and his recon-
merdations the Commissioners have adops-
ed, subject to modifica ton at any time, and
with the understanding that the assistant
superintendent's Jurisdiction shall extend to
all of the schools, white and colored in the
District.
Superintendent's Report
ba
Powell was as follows:
The important advantage that will come
to the schools through the assistant
superintendent to be appointed is the re-
lief to the superintendent from perplexing
details of business that now fall on that
officer and his associates, thus detracting
much from the value Of their efforts as di-
rectors of the strictly educational part of
the work of supervision. The distracting
influence of business and the annoving
though legitimate opportunities of persons
desiring supplies in a system so large as
that in Washington are potent factors re-
duclng the amount and value of thought
ana attention that should be given to ed
ucatiOnal subjects.
The assistant superintendent should be
broad-minded, accurate, painstaking bus
mess manager, who understands educa ton
Al aims and methods.
His Responsibilities.
This officer is to be held responsible for:
The adequate preservation and the an
nual scheduling of property, of which there
is vast accumulation in the Washington
public school plant.
The equitable distribution of the funds
that are appropriated each year for the
Increase of this plant and for supplying
the perishable part of the outfit of the
schools
"A study of the causes of differences in
the use of funds and the destruction by
wear and tear of property and a study of
the relations of each and all of these to the
subject of public education.
The purchase, distribution and care of
free text books; the purchase, distribution
and care of all school supplies; the pur-
chase, distribution and care of all school
furniture; the purchase, distribution and
care of all other school appointments.
THE values of school libraries and other
educational appliances and aids in teaching
and the uses made of them.
'The quality of material-that it be up to
sample-and correct quantities of goods
purchased.
"A knowledge of the amount of fuel con-
sumed per building, the same in size, per
room and per pupil
''Tha relative cost of removing ashes and
the removal of night soil.
The relative cost of lighting and clean
ing school houses.
! ne VdlCtS OF JdnltOrS ana lne Ted-
sons for burning out of furnaces and
CRATES.
Broad and Discriminating.
In short, a broad and discriminating
knowledge Of the material appointments of
the school with their relative cost and their
relative values to the school such and
to the community supporting the same
which information and facts so far have
not been known as they should be or have
not been known at the time when knowing
would be of the greatest benefit to the
school.
This officer should, in my judgment.
have charge of the above enumerated mat
ters and others which cannot be.mentioned
whose Importance will develop from time
TO time, for the entire system of schools
lie should be under the direction of the
superintendent of schools, whose interest
IN these matters Is necessarily great be-
cause they affect the yaIlIe of his uyorl. in