Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-14
They Will Have Two
Holidays This Year.
Number Of PerpIexing Problems
!. Confront Members.
Rules Are a Source Of Great Annoy.
ance--Minor Matters.

Feb. % and %.
The Board Of Education has 30 de.
cided, and the rules of the organization
will be carried out, Supt. Thomas
said Tuesday night, that he deemed
it fair and right that the teachers be
permitted to express themselves on
the subject. Accordingly he sent them
a letter stating the case plainly and
requesting them to indicate their
choice to the principals Of their re-
spective buildings.
"The result" said the superintend-
ent, "is that the teachers object to
teaching on Washington's birthday,
but with few exceptions, they are
willing to work on Friday, IL it is for
the best interests. of the schools
DR.. .Millikin said he thought the
Board should live up to Its rules and
that the request should never have
been made in the first place.
There were only seven members
present at the meeting, not enough to
suspend the rules, and Acting Chair
man Hartzell decided that the rule,
granting two holidays, should stand.
BOTHERsoME CASE.
Superintendent Thomas brought up
another question, which would, seem
to 7entangle the Board in it's own
9 rules. He cited rule 116 which relates
to the requirements Of excuses III cases
of absence, or tardiness.
The rule makes it optional with the
teachers, to demand an excuse. Prof.
Thomas referred to case which was
putting the rule to test. A teacher
has asked for an excuse and the par
ent refuses to give it. In the mean
time the pupil is out of school, which
is contrary to the state law. "The
City Solicitor has said," stated Prof.
Thomas, ''that in his opinion the ex-
cuse must be furnished. Shall we
make this a test case:"
Mr.. Gibbons was in favor Of allow
ing the rule to stand and others ex-
pressed themselves in a similar vein.
Upon motion of Rr. Reed the matter
was referred to the superintendent
and committee on Schools and Disci-
pline.
The rule causing the controversy is
as follows:
"Teachers may require excuses from
parents or guardians, in person or by
! note, in all cases of absence or tardi-
ness. The only excuse for absence or
tardiness accepted by the teacher shall
be for sickness or some urgent
cause. rendering punctuality impossi-
BILE or extremely inconvcnient. When
excuses are considered insufficient,
the teacher shall mark on the record
Not accepted"
EIGHTH GRADE TEACHERS.
The disposition of surplus of eighth
grande teachers continues to be a
"poser" for the Board. At the last
meeting resolution was adopted au-
thorizing that one Of the teachers be
assigned to grade work.
Dr. Reed, chairman OF the Teach
ers' and Salaries committee said that
q conference had been held with the
tesehers in question, and that they
believed themselves not fitted. for
grade %work. They feel that We're
hired foh eighth year work" said DR..
Reed, "and cannot accept grade
work" -!
Or. Millikin said that he never knew
that teacher was hired for certain
grade and could absolutely refuse to
do other work. .tt'-
The teachers referred to are Mrs,
Grace Whiteman, Jonathan Taylor
and II. T. Rankin. Or. Reed ex.
planned that they were hired for the
eighth grade and two of them had
been promised high school positions.
The teachers are being used at the
High school building, although so
many are not needed. The matter is
still unsettled.
NO INCREASE
Dr. Reed recommended that the sal
aries Of Pearl b. Nunamaker, Clara