Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-08
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Town Plot School Was Principal Topic
 Discussed.

The board of education held special meeting last evening to dispose of sev- eral matters, to wit: Town Plot school dispute, vaccination in the schools and contract for furniture for the new schools. To some extent it was an un- usual kind of a meeting. All members were present, excepting Mir Chase. Mayor Kilduff presided.
 Hans Rasmussen was present to stand by the resolutions that were pre- sented last week by him, in which he claimed that he represented the major ity of the taxpayers of that district, and that they demanded committee from the board to ast with a committee from the district and by acting togeth- CT they should see that the district and the school had been previously injured by the examination of the pu- pills by Superintendent Tinker. There was so much business to be transacted that the board did not know which item to take up first. However, on the motion of Commissioner Russell the Town Plot school affair was taken up first.
 ATr Rasmussen, upon being invited by the board to speak, addressed him. self to the effect that there was an idea abroad that the district and the board were at odds. He was sorry that such an impression was on the public mind for such g condition did not prevail. On the contrary, the board and the district were on the best of terms and he hoped the board would live long and die happy. But the dis trict did not want unfair play. He c,ai a1 1iey1 Inv fbo examination of it's pupils He was present to air the grievances of his fellow taxpayers and he knew that he represented a great majority of them But as ill all districts there was minority of kickers who were bowling to be heard. When the consolidation act went into effect this minority thought it was an opportunity to make itself heard That was the time for it to howl, and it did howl. It howled so loud that
 It will never now be known to what extent MT Rasmussen would have car- ried himself had he not been called to time by the mayor, who reminded him that he was not speaking up to the resolutions But like Miles ma Cop peleen, in the 'sColleen Bawn," NIr EldSuluSSeQs sSsllu He. NuS cOIuIllS lO IuttL and he would get to it soon. But the board had listened to him half an hour, and insisted that he come to the point. He then resumed to the effect that the examination papers which appeared in the public schools would tend to show the people that the district school was full of dunces. He held that the board or the superintendent of schools had no
 .y1 AI.z .1s .1,.o 1.1,S dren to the Bank street school. or any other school, outside of the district. When the board did so order (and it never did) MT Rasmussen counter manded the order the moment he heard of it. Then he called q meeting of the taxpayers, he was present in con sequence of the vote of that meeting. He said he paid no attention to Mr Tinker's warning that the pupils of the school would be examined on cer tain day at a certain hour for the pur- pose of grading His ideas of such examinations differed greatly from those of MT Tinker. On account cf that examination the district was ad- vertised from Boston to Bridgeport Had Mir Tinker consulted with Mir Smalley. the principal of the school, it would have been all right, but MT Tinker said not word to MT Smalley about it. It was an unfair aXamirla- tiun. MT Rasmussen held. Its conse- quenees have tossed the school all about. They were q new community and were getting along nicely, until that fatal examination. MT Rasmussen spoke for over half an hour, and time was very valuable to the board
 I Mir Vaill, a taxpayer of the Town Plot school district, spoke next. He said he was not present to defend the resolutions. On the contrary he was there to defend the action of the super intendent. The examination of the pupils by Mir Tinker was q grand thing for the district and the pupils particu- larly. He believed the whole trouble was with the principal He has visited the schools, and he asked to hear a l class in reading. He was informed that there was no class in reading. none was ready, the pupils were being graded. He went on another occasion and he was informed to the same ef- 1 feet. He was very glad the board has taken an interest in the Town Plot school district. It could not fail to work good for the pupils. He would suggest stronger principal and teach CTS and of course the superintendent knew what he meant by that He tried to get these but he was not back ed up by the district He has had an experience of seven years in the dis trict. He was satisfied he voiced the sentiments of the majority of the tax payers and he was present to express satisfaction at the action of the board and the superintendent. He considered morality first element on the make up of any school official and he must say MT Smalley the principal, was not a fit person for the position he held. Mir Rasmussen arose to reply but the board informed him that MT Smalley was not in consideration at all and ii an argument was allowed between MT Rasmussen and Mir Vaill over Mir Smalley the board would not 20 home until morning and probably be late for breakfast at that.
 l However Mir Rasmussen would not be downed until he stated that he was there not to defend Mir Smalley but to resent the action of the board. The board could revoke Mir Smalley's certificate. Another man was ap- pointed to come here with ne said MT Rasmussen but he did not cotle. and I don't think he is in the right n1aca faniUhf