The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-12
New Directors Used
the Bosom.
TEACHERS IN DIRE TERROR
CONSOLIDATION AND BUSINESS
BASIS THE WATCHWoRDS.
A Ladies' Night" Before the Board,
Whereat Momentous Changes
Were 1naugurated and
More limited At.

The Board Of Education had a good
house last evening. II was the new mem
bers' second performance and the fame
OF their first appearance brought the pub
lie TO their doors. Long before the
Directors issued from their dressing room
in the secretary's office every seat in the
gallery and on the floor was occupied and
standing room was at a discount.
1t was really lady teachers night"
as almost two-thirds Of the large audi
ence were of the fair gender. Reclassifi-
cation and consolidation were in the air,
and each teacher in the audience was
oppressed with the feeling that her posi-
ton was slipping from under her. There
were eleven Directors present and there
could be no luck in odd numbers in this
instance. besides two secretaries were in
attendance and that made thirteen, and
trouble was ION deck" Moreover, from
the scattering Of attorneys looming in
the crowd 1t was evident that somebody
was preparing to checkmate declared
vacancies with injunction suits.
In fact one injunction fitted into the
chamber before the board was called to
order. 1t was an order from Judge Dam
gertield enjoining the adjustment of Miss
Emily Dyer's position as teacher. Miss
Dyer was assigned to the Washington
evening school without any class upon
which to exercise her pedagogic privilege,
and naturally anticipated trouble. Ac-
cording to reports Washington evening
school is a soft" old thing where teach
ers have from four to forty pupils 10 a
class.
The first act Of the session last even
ing was the re-transference of Mrs. Mich
ner back to Winfield Scott Grammar
school. The old board had sent her chas-
ing a will O. the wisp class in the Spring
Valley school, which of course she was
unable to catch. Miss Kate McGaugh was
by the old board sent somewhere, and
was last evening brought back to her
original position in the Hancock Gram
mar.
Director Stow asked to have the billet
of Miss Catherine Black, music teacher
at the Lowell High School, sponged from
the blackboard. His request was granted
by his fellow Directors. Miss z. c. Finks
was a teacher at the Girls High School
without a class. BY the vote of the
board her position went glimmering and
the salary was unassigned"
Miss Ellen A Sleator, through her at
torney, protested against the loss of her
class and that of three other teachers
In the Lincoln Primary School. She
stated that she had taught in this city
since 1859 and in Lincoln since 1890, and
claimed to have hold-over privileges by
reason of long service.
The following is the report received on
the deplOrable condition of the unfinished
heating and ventilating system in the
new Mission High School building:
The system is still in an incomplete state
No provisions have been made in any OF the
rooms TO regulate the heat and no yentilating
openings have been made in any Of the first
story rooms In the Assembly room nothing
has been done for either heating ventilatng
Two large openings in the wall we're left above
the gallery for hot air which have been plas-
tered up since the walls were finished and tint
ed. Where openings made in they
still left with no registers or guards. The
basement is badly cut up with duets and par
titions. Some of these low that less
than five feet is left to pass under them. The
annoyance TO the occupants, the incomplete
system making 1t too hot in some rooms and
too cool in others. Teachers are obliged TO use
windows TO ventilate in all first and second
floor rooms.
The Board decided that the contractors
be given nVe days to complete this work;
in the event Of failure in this the work
would be completed by the department.
The strong act Of the evening came on
when the Finance Committee made its
report, and when the secretary arose to
read there was the deepest silence. The
latter portion OF the report which con-
tanned the meat is as follows:
A review Of facts and figures brings US TO
the conclusion that. We cannot legally assume
the deficits OF the past board, and in order to
meet the regular legitimate expenses of the
School Department we VIII be obliged to prac-
carefully into the following recommendations,
which here enumerate. for your favorable
consideration Space and time prevent our
including our arguments for the proposals,
and suggest that the best results can be
obtained by free discussion of same in open
PROPOSALS.
That the secretary of the Board Of Educa-
tion serve a written notice upon the Auditor
and the Treasurer Of the city, stating that we
have a legal right to control 6-12ths of ST.
217. l40 said amount being total appropriation
al for ha nhNp C,,,d
70 be used in the fiscal year ending June 80
1899 and require said Auditor and Treasurer
10 respect our legal rights to control 6-12ths
OF the entire appropriation and notify this
board OF their action this matter; also in
form us of the condition of the Mission High
School fund.
We are compelled to decline payment Of any
and all claims and demands against the
School Department incurred prior to January
j: 1899.
The San Francisco Normal School to be abol-
.ished and the positions Of all teachers and
'tantors attached thereto abolished from
and after February l. 1899.
Resolved. That all teachers in the Normal
School whose positions have been abolished
be placed upon the list OF unassigned teachers
and be directed to report to the superintendent.
dlately furnish a bond to the amount of s5000
and each assistant secretary a bond OF $1,000
for the faithful performance OF their duties.
said bonds to be approved by the president and
the chairman OF the Finance Committee of the
Board.
In conclusion would say that resolutions OF
January and the adoption of above propo-
Gals viii net us a monthly saving of at least
10000 II we have SsOS $40 to meet expenses for
the coming six months the salaries will require
about $4,000 per month Crowded retrench-
ments are carried out as suggested to-
tai Of S5l6. 900 for the six months, leaving ap-
pToXimateIy a balance OF ss2, 600 to meet all
.othet demands against the School Department.
We would suggest that the chairman of each
standing committee hand to the secretary OF
this board estimate OF the funds he will
require for the six months ending June 80.
. 1899.
That no more than thirty substitutes includ-
ing all unassigned teachers, shall at any time
be under pay. Whenever the number shall ex-
reed thirty the secretary shall notify those last
elected In excess of that number that they are
suspended until the number in the class shall
be reduced by assignment or otherwise to
thirty.
The matter of finances can then be intelll-
gently taken up and handled for the best in
terests of the School Department.
The resolutions, and in fact every reso-
nrtion. report and suggestion of the Board
wers unanimously adopted.
1t was the prize harmonious session.
q Several attorneys tried to protest against
the fall of the Normal School, but moth
. Ing could stop that Board.