Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-27
 BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Voted to Close the South Brooklyn
 School

School.
 A very large amount of business was transacted at the meeting of the board of education held last evening. Commissioner Kent presided and all the other members were present. It is evident that it will be some time before the tangle regarding the SUI burban districts will be adjusted. At the meeting last evening it was pro- posed to abolish two schools, the South Brooklyn and the Oronoke or Park Road. The first because it is dan- gerous to approach the building, it lying between railroad tracks and either of the others for convenience and economy. John Green, repre- senting the South Brooklyn district, did not object to the school being closed, but did not like the suggestion of a financial burden of $2, 900 being laid on the taxpayers shoulders. There is that amount due on the dis trict and providing the taxpayers are not obliged to pay it they will not ob- ject to the closing of the school. MT Green in fact said the people favored the proposition of being merged in the city schools, so it was decided by vote to recommend the closing of the school and that the taxpayers of the district hold a meeting and decide to come in- to the city school system. Commis- sioner Carmody moved that after the present term of school the pupils of the South Brooklyn school be admitted to the nearest convenient school. This matter disposed of, the question of dispensing with either the Oronoke or the Park Road schools came up MT Smitz and NIr Casey represented the Oronoke district The other school was not represented. MT Smitz and Mir Casey would not listen to the idea of closing the Oronoke school and leaving the Park Road school open. The latter is practically new building, but it was at once made ap- parent by MT Smitz and MT Casey that the north pole will become unit ed with the south pole as soon as the feeling between these respective school districts will be calmed down. Econ omy recommended the closing of either school and that the Oronoke. The sum of $400 year would be saved by such an arrangement. There is not enough children in either school. to warrant both of them in existence. The Oronoke school is sadly in need of repairs. The ventilation is bad, the blackboards are too high for chil- dren not over ten years of age, and there are other conditions present that would cost a good sum to rectify and which make it the preference to close But MT Casey and MT Smitz had it distinctly understood that they would not send their children to the Park Road school; MT Smitz said, in fact, that rather than send them there he would not send them to school at all: also that it would be better to close the Park Road school because that is nearer the city limits of the Russell school and the disturbing clements in the Park road school live nearby and they could send their children to that school if the Park Road school was closed. Tamarach swamp was an- other obstacle to closing the Oronoke school and a reason why the Park Road school should be closed if it was decided to close one of them. Com missioner Russell said it was merely matter of sentiment with the Oro- noke people and he moved that the Oronoke school be closed. Commis- sioners Chapman and Goodenough ob- l jected to such motion and after con- siderable discussion it was decided to obtain the feeling of the people of both districts and meanwhile Mir Smitz and Mir Casey will see that all necessary repairs are made to the Oro- noke school. A meeting of the peo- pie will be held and the matter adjust ed in that manner It is believed that the people of the Park Road school will not object to their school being closed provided they are all flowed to send their children to the Russell school. This matter will be resumed at the meeting to be held next Monday evening.
 There was but one bid received for removing the West Side Hill school and as that was not accompanied by q certified check it was thrown out and bids will be advertised for again. The bidder was Loren k. Carter. A communication was received from Miss Helen ThomS, a graduate of the Normal school and a teacher of one years experience in kindergarten. the only applicant on the list suited to kindergarten work. She said in re- sponse to an inquiry if she would come here to work in the Kindergarten school that she expects S640 a year beginning next year ill New York $ public school and that if she received S600 she would come. The teachers are already engaged for the Barnard school and as they have had more ex- Eperience than Miss Thoms it was ask ed why they should receive less sal ary than Miss Thoms. ft was asked was it because she happens to be work ing in New York's public school sys- I tenn that she is q better teacher than l those engaged for the Barnafd school l At this point Chairman Kent traded seats with Commissioner Chase and the ball was opened. AIr Kent saw no justice in such a proposition. The idea of engaging q teacher from New York with one years experience only, at q salary higher than competent and experienced teachers would receive was nonsense. MT Tinker explained that Miss Thoms was the only one ex- !perienced ill Kindergarten work on the waiting list. The result of the discussion, which was quite warm at times. was that Miss Thoms' name was withdrawn and Mir Tinker shall make inquiries for another who shall begin work at a smaller salary, prob ably about S4OO.