Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-04
BOARD OF EDUCATION
A Large Number Attending the Night
 School This Season. Es

The board of education met last evening in accordance with the pro vision of it's rules. All the members Were present except Messrs Kilmartin and Goodenough The minutes of the last meeting were approved and an application for an appointment as teacher from Mary J. Cuggie of Nau- gatuck met the usual temporary fate. recorded and placed on file. Miss Cuggie resides at 1GG Cherry street in the rubber borough.
 Superintendent Tinker's report fol- lowed. In the document MT Tinker reported that the attendance at the night school is the largest in the his tory of that branch of local education. He also reported that all outsiders at tending the High school. have been notified of the rule relating to the tlli- tion fee. Some it appears. have re- fused to pay. upon what seems to them to be statutory grounds. that there is a High school in the town of Water bury. But it also appears that thiE district is exceptional in this matter. Secretary Hine. of the state board of education having decided that the law does not apply to the local situation. II was furthermore stated that the se- lectmen have refused to pay for town pupils attending the High school, which the law says they shall do. May or I<ildufT said he saw no reason why the Selectmen should not pay. as tn" city pays 90 cents in every dollar the town eXDendS He advised that prompt measures be taken with those who have refused to pay the tuition fee and Commissioner Hayes said as much. that if things were allowed to go on as they evidently intended go- ing pupils from Union City and Nau- gatuck would be in the High school soon.
 Commissioner Mcdonald advised that now is the time to take adVan- tage of the opportunity of shutting out delinquents. He deemed it ad- visable to get an opinion from the city attorney on the matter and Commits sioner Cowell coincided with him, like wise the mayor.
 The report on enumeration showed q total of 11.740. an increase of 800 since last year. This will bring from the state S26.J00. Ii appeared to be the general opinion of the board that (. C. Commerford was the saviour Of the school enumeration this year. The first figures of the enumeratOrS an- palled the school. authorities. Only 10 G33 were the original figures. but Nr Commercials deXterity and knoWl- edge of the work entitled it to further inquiry and the result up to the pres ent is the consequence.
 The next measure adopted was to close the schools December 21 and re- open them January ?.
 Mayor Kilduff could not understand why the schools remain closed the Fri si,-I,, In Siderad it an injustice to the school nu- pills and the taxpayers especially. SU- perintendent Tinker answered that it was the custom to close the school the Friday after Thanksgiving.
 Mayor Kilduff thought that in con- sideration of the school convention and other gatherings which the teachers at tend. the schools ought to be open every day it is possible
 Commissioner Hayes replied that many of the teachers leave the city for the holiday named. but the mayor maintained his point on the grounds that despite conventions. etc. it is the duty of the board to see that the schools are open every day it lS poSSl- ble to keep them open. if for no other reason but that the taxpayers pay for 200 days education and the pupils ought to be given that benefit.
 Commissioner Mcdonald remarked that the policemen are allowed one day off each month 'Yes." put in Com missioner Cowell. "and they work 36. days in the year. too.' And they re maid for it." interjected Superintendent Tinker.
 Things were crowding Commission CT Mcdonald and to keep up his fron' he said that even the representative whom the people send to the leglsla t,Ire are paid $500. This was too muct fer Commissioner,Co ,Cowell, and he hfeo hack with the shot that the above sun is for two years and genefailE Il co"' one more than that to be elected.
 The truant officers report was thel read and provision made for snow nrotector on the roof of the high school
 Then was read a long petition from the property owners and others HVms in the vicinity of the Locust street school fayoring the retention of the school in the present site and the puf chase of adjoining land for additional buildings The petition met 1he fate of all petitions; it was placed or file This petition was told about III the Democrat some weeks ago. II was signed by A. Reichenbach ano forty-nine others.
 Bills and payrolls were appfo'eo next and a discussion followed as tc the value of the night schools in gen eral. and particularly the drawlns class. Commissioner Chapman spokf in support of them. The Rev pr Mar fin was given permission to use rooms five and six in the Elm street schoo for his classes in German. ..4 sf,..
 The following reports were accepted tafl Tinker.
 Gentlemen: I would report tha evening schools have opened with al attendance that promises to give th' largest attendance for many years.
 The enrolment to date has been 3oi with an average attendance of 2S2. ner cent of attendance reaching neaf1 % ner cent. The attendance IS dlVld ed as follows:
 Seniors 10. juniors 20.
 Grammar-IV. class. 10: III, class 30. II. class. 30; I. class. 4o.
 Freehand drawing 25, mechanica drawing 40.
 On account of the large number l has been found necessary to appoln as teachers the Misses Nora McElil gott. Alice Macomber and Julia Reilly
 zr,, rr;nlar rapOrtpd briefly on tn