Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-20
DEBATE HIGH SCHOOL COURSE
Proposal TO Adopt n Two-Year Bust
ness Course IL Under Com
alteration.

fishing a two-year business course in the
high school was discussed. The matter
was brought up by Director German, who
urged that such q course be again adopted.
The tvo-year business course, It was eX-
planned, is not intended in any way to in
terfere with the present four-year course,
but to AFFORD pupils who cannot afford to
spend four years in the high school TO
obtain the advantages Of a specific business
course in two years. Under the present
system the course is arranged for the full
term Of four years and a pupil leaving bo-
fore the expiration Of the four years has
consequently not obtained the benefits of
the entire course and on leaving is given a
certificate showing what studies he has
taken. A pupil completing the two-year
course will be given a certificate, but not
a diploma, as he would receive on gradu-
ating after a four-year course. Some Of
the directors favored the adoption Of the
two-year course on the grounds that 1t
would enable a pupil to start out in COM
mercial life at an earlier age than IL COM
PEELED to remain the four years and that
more pupils from the eighth grade would
enter the high school II able to take a two
year course. The committee on course OF
study and Superintendent Clifford were d.
rected to arrange for a two-year business
course Of study and report at the next
meeting. The two-year business course
was in vogue during the SUPPLEMENTARY
Of Prof. Sawyer.
President Sargent, while stating that he
did not ask for any action in the matter at
this time, suggested that the board con-
slider the question Of compulsory drill for
the boy pupils of the high school and that
they all be required to wear a high school
uniform, as was the regulation In other
high schools. Director German made sew
eral suggestions for improving the discip-
line at the high school, but no action was
taken. It was understood that Mr.. German
intended introducing a resolution reauir-
ing all girls attending the high school to
wear mortar boards, but the matter was
not brought up.
The committee on buildings and grounds
was instructed to confer with Chief Tenn
pleton Of the fire department relative to
fire escapes on the school buildings as re-
CURED by the new law. Chairman Cooper
Of this committee reported that from a talk
he had had with the chief the board would
be required to place escapes on the new
high school building, as Chief Templeton
considered that 1t came within the provi-
sion Of the not
o0mo uhACNAHlOu was 0AQ over the new
compulsory education act. but q we DE-
cided not TO take any action until after
the opening Of the new school year and
the taking of the schoo census, which
must be taken before September Is. Pres
ident Sargent stated that he had learned
from the state superintendent that the ap-
pointing Of a truant onicer was optional
with the board and not obligatory, but that
the board was compelled to take all neces-
sary steps to enforce the law.
The contract for supplying the several
schools with coal for the ensuing year was
awarded to the Carbon Coal company on its
bid of SS,041.60 for Centerville lump. The
company was granted the privilege to weigh
the coal on any authorized scales. Chair
man German Of the committee on fuel and
lighting insisted that the company be re-
quired to weigh all coal on the city scales
at Bryant street.
The matter Of the plumbing Of the Pierce
street school addition was laid over, as
Chairman Cooper of the committee on
buildings and grounds reported that in his
opinion the addition would not be built
before January !. as Contractor Wickham
was unable to secure brick. It was de-
cided to heat the addition with stoves this
winter II ready for occupancy in lime.
NANAeS W supplying lou ueShb ana
seats was awarded to the r. o. Evans com
pany Of Chicago. Tn bids by request were
not made public but Director Hess stated
that that Of the Evans company was the
lowest.
Miss Porterheld's salary as instructor of
music was increased from s75 to SS5. it be,
Ing understood that she had rSosived an
ofer OF $e6 to go to Dubuque.
Miss Agnes Robinson Of the Washington
avenue school was granted an indefinite
leave OF absence and the resignation Of
Miss Rose Drake was accepted. Miss Alice
spetman and Miss May Jepson were APP
pointed teachers at s35 q month. It was
decided that when Miss Churchill should be
transferred to the Pierce street school on
the abandoning Of the Hill school, Of
which she is principal, her salary should be
placed back from SIS to $50.
George W. Jacobs resigned as janitor of
the Thirty-second street school and VIII
liam Mack was appointed in his place.
The president was authorized to en-
gage counsel to defend the school district
in the suit brought by %. A. wickham
for grading the old Oakland avenue high
school site, also in the personal damage
suit Of Mrs. Rice against the city OF Coun-
ell Bluffs In which the city has moved to
make the district a party defendant.
The superintendent was instructed to
furnish all books and supplies for the
kindergartens. the same as was done for the
graded schools under the free text book
system.