Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-08-09
J. F. DARBY CHOSEN.
Elected to the PrincipaIship of the
Rock Island High
School.
FORTY APPLICANTS FOR POSITION.

Successful Candidate Receives Unanimous
oyote of the Board of Education at Its
Meeting Last Night-A Young Man Who
Comes Highly Reeommended-Annua
Tax Levy Made.
j. F. Darby. of La Grange, H., was
last night unanimously elected by the
board of education to the principal
ship of the Rock Island High school.
He was chosen from a list of 40 appli-
cants. He is n young man of fine adj
dress and comes highly recommended.
For the last five years he has been
assistant principal at the La Grange,
ILL.,, High school. and this in itself
was considered sufficient to commend
him to the Rock Island board, as the
La Grange school stands among the
leading free educational institutions
of the state. Mr.. Darby is at present
taking a postgraduate course at the
Northwestern university, Chicago.
The board fixed his salary at 81 500
per year.
The choosing of a science instructor
for the High school was deferred un-
til another meeting, as was the elect
ing of teachers for the ensuing year.
The annual tax levy was made
s44, 600 for educational and $4,000
for building purposes. 1t was voted
to begin the fall term Sept. 1.
Two bids were received for the fur
nishing of coal to all school buildings
for the next year: Coal Valley Min
ing company, S1.95 per ton; Empire
Coal company, S1.95 per ton. The
contract was awarded TO the Coal VAL
ley Mining company.
Prof. Robinson Makes Recommendations
The board received the following
recommendations from Prof. +. V.
Robinson. the retiring principal
of the High school, which were
referred to the proper committees:
That the salaries of the assistants at
the High school be advanced at least
50 and preferably SO per month. The
present salary is much below that
paid in the better class of schools, and
unless it is speedily raised you may
expect to lose the stronger teachers.
This has happened repeatedly in the
past, and with the general upward
movement in salaries throughout the
country it cannot but happen more
frequently in the future, to the great
detrlmen OF the ScnOOl. i ne present
corps of teachers is exceptionally
strong and faithful. They have de-
served well of the public and | be-
lieve it to be Just and wise that their
services be thus recognized and re-
warded.
That a regular postgraduate course
be organized, with a suitable diploma
at its conclusion. In view of the
number of graduates who have re-
turned the last two years for future
work, the demand for such a course is
unquestionable, and its advantage in
the way of economy and keeping
children at home until more mature
wears is unmistakable. Moreover,
since many of the graduates expect to
teach, it would result in more solid
and thorough preparation. The time
would be equally well spent by those
intending to pursue studies elsewhere,
since advanced credit could readily be
secured for the work done here. a
certificate to this effect from the state
university is already on file in this
office.
Manual Training and Domestic Arts.
That n department of manual
training and domestic arts be added.
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