The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-22
Cause of Cismissals Pointed Out BY
Teachers.
A LITTLE POLITICS IN IT
ACTING sUPERINTENDENT'S
METHODS ARE CRITICISED.
Superintendent Cooper Finds it Nee
essary to Undo Some of the Lady's
Work-Principals and Teachers
Point Out Few Facts For the
Public's Information.

Discussion CT current events in the
management of the public school sys-
tenn is having the effect of convincing
many parents, and with unanimity the
teachers and principals also, as to what
and who are responsible for the numer-
Gus disturbances that have recently oc-
cupied the attention of the board of
education and the public. Among the
many significant facts, it is noted that
without exception there is the utmost
harmony between teachers and prin-
cipals, and a desire to advance the
best interests of the schools seems to
animate their every action. The pat
rons of the schools appreciate the good
work that is being done by both teach
ers and principals, and it is worthy of
note that every one of the four prlncl-
pals who were or are threatened with
dismissal has the undivided support of
the parents. AS to complaints of in
efficient services or deficiency in at
tainments in any of these principals,
the record shows there are none, nor
will members of the board state there
are any.
Hence, teachers, principals. pupils
and patrons have been casting around
10 locate the ScUOOl DOdEQ > CduSt VI
dissatisfaction with Principal Clark of
the high school, who, by the way. the
board concluded to re-employ for next
year, or with Principal Hallock of the
Franklin, Webster of the Lincoln or
Tawney of the Bonneville school. The
searcherS believe they have found the
cause of the trouble.
Result of Temporary Power.
That Superintendent Millspaugh last
December left every part of the school
machinery in admirable condition, no
one will deny. Since then and until
two weeks ago the schools have been
without an executive and administra-
tive head, other than as Miss Holton,
supervisory of primary grades. has, in
the capacity of acting superintendent,
filed the position. Superintendent
Cooper has not been on the ground
long enough to acQuaint himself with
all the conditions, nor to detect what
needs correcting in the system, but I'M
questionably he will soon be enabled to
bring order out of what is now verging
upon chaos. Already, however he has
determined that the course of study
mapped out by Miss Holton for the
first half of next year in the grades
must be brought down to fill the re-
QuirementS of each lower grade, to
adjust the undue advancement, as 1t
were. In other respects the new SUI
perintendent may also find it necessary
to undo what the acting superintend-
ent has done. a meeting of principals
has been called for Tuesday afternoon
to confer upon the corrective plan
which Superintendent Cooper has in
view.
When the matter of electing teachers
and principals was under consideration
tie lady superintendent was sought for
advice as to whether this one or that
one were deficient in qualifications, and
in what manner, and usually her rec
concentrations have been needed. Su-
perintendent Cooper has taken little or
no part in passing opinions upon the
work of teachers or principals, be-
cause he has not yet become sufficiently
advised of the personnel of the 275 in
structors in the schools.