The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-30
BOARD BARRED THE DOOR
School Trustees Sat Last Night
in Secret Session.
TURNED OUT REPORTERS
AS Result of the Deliberations Two
Teachers Are Dropped and Two
Removed From Active to
Substitute List.

as was pTeulCleQ, last nights SeS-
sion of the school board was a lively
one. 1t gave promise of being so
lively in fact that the board ordered
all newspaper men from the room
when the subject of reducing the staff
OF teachers came up for discussion.
The star chamber session lasted nearly
two and one-quarter hours, and re-
suited in two teachers being dismissed
| and two taken from the regular staff
and placed upon the list of substitutes.
feature of the session preceding the
star chamber session was speech by
Superintendent Stapleton in criticism
of the newspapers that have printed the
news that the staff of teachers was to
be reduced. Mr. Stapleton regretted
that news concerning the schools and
uncensored by the superintendent had
been given to the public.
In the course of his remarks he crit
icised the publication of the fact that
designations of public employees had
been called for. He said the newspa-
pers had singled out the teachers over
all other occupations as a class whose
private affairs should be published He
neglected to make the distinction be-
tween public and private employees.
Teachers and superintendent are en-
ployed by the public paid by the public
and responsible to the public, and news
affecting the expenditure or curtail-
ment of expenditure of public school
funds is news to which the public is
entitled, but Mr.. Stapleton took the
stand that the matter of designations
is purely private.
The meeting opened at s o'clock with
President futile in the chair and Trus-
tees MacCallum. Welcome, Stephens
and Twohy present. After the trans
action of several minor matters, SUI
perintendent Stapleton was called upon
to read his report. Mr.. Stapleton, be-
fore complying, said that he wished to
protest against the manner in which
the newspapers had published the
news about the teachers being dismiss
ed.
The newspapers have no regard for
these women's feelings" said he. "They
have published the news without OBJ
tanning reliable information. They men
toned that the teachers had refused to
resign, when, as matter of fact, they
are perfectly willing to do SO, although
they have not informed the board in
formal manner to that effect"
The superintendent stated that the
total enrolment this year was: Bryan
$50; Carroll. y; Central. 1866: Lincoln.
los: Prescott 1859; West End, %. This
is decrease of 1873 from last year.
In his report Mr.. Stapleton stated
that he had found that he could re-
duce the staff of teachers by three by
shifting teachers from one school to
another. The report also mentioned
that there were many truant boys
| whose parents could do nothing with
them, and he recommended that tru-
ant officer be appointed The report
was accepted.
When the matter of the dismissal of
teachers came up, Superintendent Sta
pleton said:
II would ask that the reporters be
excluded from the meeting while we
discuss this question. The reporters
haven't got enough consideration for a
woman's feelings and there will be
something said here that the public
don't care to know"
President futile then asked the news
paper men to leave the room, saying
that they would have access to the
minutes of the meeting after this mat
ter had been decided
There was undoubtedly considerable
discussion. for more than two hours
elapsed from the time the reporters
were told to leave until they We're in
formed that they could enter the star
chamber.
During the secret session Mr. Mac
Calfum was heard to say that as they
ileii W IeuuCt lIp SldIl ne was IN FAVOR
of dismissing those to whom it would
mean the less hardship. I'VE must
keep these teachers who are supporting
their mothers, if they are as competent
as the Others said he.
superintendent Stapleton made more
suggestions and as it was growing late
DIR. Stephens, who seemed anxious to
go, said that he was in favor of placing
the names in a hat and taking out as
many as it was the intention to dis
miss.
This plan did not meet with the APP
proval of the members and finally it
was moved by DR.. Stephens. seconded
by Mr.. Welcome, that Miss Mary +.
Cody and Miss Marie Quigley be taken
from the regular staff and that their
names be placed on the list of substi-
tutes. The motion carried and the clerk
was instructed to notify them.
1t was then moved by Mr.. Welcome,
seconded by DR.. Stephens, and so or
dered, that the names of Mrs. Mary L.