Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
Meeting of Board of Trustees Held
Yesterday Afternoon.
LETTERS RECEIVED And REFERRED
The kindergarten Schools Subject
of Discussion.
CHA GES AUTHORIZED

The regular monthly meeting Of the
board of public school trustees held at the
Franklin building yesterday afternoon, was
devoted entirely to the transaction of routine
business connected with the administration
of the schools. Contrary to expectations
there was no discussion whatever in regard
to the recent criticisms of the school sys-
tenn by various citizens associations and
through communications to the newspapers
There was full attendance of trustees, al
though Mrs. Tulloch and Gen. Spear did not
arrive until the meeting was well under
way. The others present were Messrs.
Whelpley lin the chair, Barnard, Harries,
Hazen, Wilson, Brown, Wright and Rich
arison and Mrs. Francis of the board and
Superintendent Powell and Cook. Mr.. T.
Edward Clark was interested spectator,
but took no part in the proceedings.
A communication from fire alarm COM
pany suggesting that additional safeguards
against fire be provided at the various
school buildings was referred to the com
mittee on buildings
A communication was received from the
District Commissioners transmitting COM
muncat1on from the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association detailing the action of
that association at meeting on the Sth
instant in regard to the school system of
the District and advocating the immediate
construction of the school building at Rose
dale AT the meeting in question the asso-
citation adopted resolutions protesting
against the overcrowdtng of the public
schools and favoring the establishment of
manual training school in Northeast
Washington These resolutions have al
ready been published in full in The Star
The resolution relating to the construc-
ton of the new building at Rosedale was
referred to the committee on ways and
means, with instructions to ask for the adj
ditonal appropriation required for the
building.
Communications Received.
A communication was received from the
secretary of the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association transmitting a copy of a reso-
luton adopted by that association indoors
ing the protests against the alleged over
pressure of studies in the public schools
This communication was referred to the
committee on course of studies
What was described as a round robin
was read, saying that the signers objected
to their children attending the cooking
school at 917 street. but giving no rea-
sons for their objections. The communica-
ton was referred to Mrs. Francis the
trustee Of the division in which the school
is located. with a view to ascertaining the
nature Of the objections.
The next communica ton was one address
ed to Superintendent Powell by Mr.. w. A
Croffut, secretary of the Anti-Imperialisttc
League, saying that the league offers prizes
of so and 50, respectively for the best two
essays "INlcH ny pupllS OF the pubic
schools on the Colonial Policy of the Pres
ent Administration viewed in the light Of
the Declaration of Independence. the Con-
stitution and Washington's farewell ad-
dress.
On motion of Mr.. Barnard the secretary
was directed to reply to Mr.. Croffut that
the request of the league is declined. In
announcing the vote on this motion the
chair declared it had been unanimously
carried
Mr.. Brown called attention to the de-
plorable lack of school facilities for co..
ored children in Brookland and vicinity.
and said there are 100 children in that
section without any school facilities what
ever. Owing to their poverty they are una
BILE to come into the city or go to other sec
tions of the county where there are school
houses. He said all the colored citizens of
Brook and and vicinity and nearly all the
white citizens, including General Spear
were in hearty sy mpathy with the move
ment to secure at least four-room build
ing at Brookland for colOred children Mr.
Brown suggested that an appeal be made
to Congress through the District Commits
stoners for an appropriation for the much
needed schoolhouse. The subject was re-
ferred to the committee on ways and means.
At the instance of Mr.. Wilson it was an
nounced by the secretary that under the
rule the public schools will be Closed on
the Friday following February % wash
ington's birthday anniversary. on which
day the schools are closed by law.
The Kindergarten Schools.
Mr.. Barnard, from the committee on kin
dergartens. to which was referred the petit
ton asking that Miss Mabel E. Brooks be
placed on the eligible list for appointment
as a kindergarten teacher. made a report
recommending that Miss Brooks be allowed
to take the examination for appointment as
teacher in the kindergarten schools If
she had graduated from the High School
or had received other education of an equiv
aipnr rbaraHfer The aSoptai
Mr.. Barnard, from the same committee,
also presented a resolution declaring that
II Is the judgment of the board of school
trustees that under the existing law it is
not authorized to accept the service of any
teacher as a gratuity, and that 1t is not
authorized to receive into its services any
teacher to be appointed and paid by pri-
vate subscription or by gift from any
person or persons TO be made from mo-
tives of benevolence or philanthropy, and
that it is not advisable for this board to
petition Congress to pass any law giving
such authority" 1t was explained that this
resolution was based on representations
made to the committee on kindergartens
that director of the public kindergarten
schools for the District might be secured
by the contribution of money by person
or persons interested in such schools, pro-
vided such person or persons could have
the selection and nomination of such d.
rector.
Mr.. Barnard, in offering the resolution,
said 1t seems to be the policy Of the law
that the government alone should provide
for the school funds and officers and teach
ers for establishing and conducting all the
public schools. so that the public authori-
| ties may properly have entire control of the
service.
| The resolution was adopted.
designations and Appointments.
| The designations of Julia l.. Pearson,
| teacher in the Western High School: Mar
| tina Gray, teacher In the eleventh divi-
\ sion, and W. p. Hay. teacher in the High
| School, were accepted.
| Miss Mary L. Evans was appointed teach
| er of the first grade. at a salary Of $500 per
annum. vice Miss Gray. resigned.
| Frank A. Martin was appointed janitor of
| the Franklin school.
| The following changes in the schools In
| the various divisions We're announced by
| the respective trustees and Were approved
4 by the board:
! High Schoois-Appoint: Alfred A Doolit
| tie, teacher of biology at Central High
| School at 5000. Promote: C. w. Orr from
| $500 to $3.50, Central High School: l.. vii
| kins, from $3.50 to $1,000. Eastern High
School; E. NJ. Wilson, from 81 600 to 81 200
| Central High School. Mabel W. Baker
from $3.50 10 5000. Western High School
| Margaret II. Brewer, from $500 to $500
Appoint: Miss Frances W. Harver. teacher
| of mathematics, Western High School. vice
Miss Brewer, transferred to history, a