Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-05
School Board.


At the monthly meeting of the City
School Board, held last night, eleven Of
the twelve members were present and
Capt. Bryant presided.
Mr.. Aitcheson stated that City En-
gipeer Dunn and the committee on school
houses and furniture had gone over the
plans previously submitted for the pro-
posed improvement of Peabody building
and could not see where any changes
could well be made or any cost saved, so
had decided to again recommend the
adoption of the original plan, which
would cost about 81, 900.
City Engineer Dunn was called upon
for his views and recommended that
closets should be placed in the recesses
on the first, second and third floors OF
the building. If they were placed in
the yard the cost would be $500 less.
Mr.. Stabler asked why water could
not be placed in the building in the yard
and that connected with the sewer.
Mr.. Harrison favored the closets in the
yard because it would be less objection
able than if they were in the building.
The Superintendent said the children
had but limited space in the yard and
that was the reason the closets should be
placed in the building; he wanted the
present building made as modern as pos
sible and said if the money was spent III
putting closets in the building it would
be well spent.
Mr.. Thomson favored modern closets
in the yard; they would be better there
and would cost less.
Mr.. Sweeney did not think Peabody
building was adapted for water closets
and was opposed to unnecessary changes
being made; he thought the building in
the yard could be utilized.
Capt. Bryant thought it best to put
the closets in the yard if proper sanitary
arrangements could be made.
Mr.. Yates thought the teachers would
favor closets in the yard; that it would
be better for the children to be into the
yard where they would get fresh air.
DIR. Jones, who favored closets in the
ward, moved that the question be put to
a vote.
Mr. Sweeney then moved that the
closets be placed in the yard and the
motion was carried. Yeas-Messrs. Yates
Thompson, Jones, Harrison, Bryant,
Sweeney, Carne and Stlbler, 8; noes,
Messrs. Thomson, Aitcheson and Mar
bury, 3.
The clerk was directed to petition the
City Council for a special appropriation
of 81, 200 for proposed improvement to
Peabody building and on motion of
Mr.. Carne the committee was directed to
proceed with the work of improvement
as soon as the money is appropriated by
council.
It's proposed to erect fire escapes on
the building and to convert the hall into
two school rooms.
The Superintendent stated that the
School of Methods would begin at the
University of Virginia on June p and
that the Superintendent tofPublic lnstruc-
ton wished as mary teachers as pos
sible to attend; if the teachers did at
tend they should be present at the open
ing so he suggested that the white
schools of the city be closed on June Is
and 10 in order that such of the teach
ers who wished to attend the School OF
Methods could do so.
On motion of Mr.. Carne the Superin-
tendent was authorized to exercise his
discretion in the matter and the white
schools will be closed on June Is and 10
and the colored schools on June % and
%.
Capt. Bryant asked for the names Of
the teachers who held high grade GER
tificates as he understood that some
stood exceptionally high in their exami-
nations.
The Superintendent stated that Misses
j. K. NJ. Ficklin, Dream Bruce, Pearl
Hoffman and Fannie Smith held such
certificates, they having stood remark
ably fine examinations, and he thought
they were entitled to some special recOg-
nition he also stated that at present
there was but one substitute teacher of
anv practical use but he hoped there
would be more next session.
An appropriation for the medal and
certificates of distinction for the closing
exercises was made.
The Superintendent stated that he
had received an application from lady
living out of the city for position as
teacher, who had enclosed her photo
graph and excellent testimonials OF her
fitness for the position. He had replied
that there were no vacancies at present.
The Outdoor Poor.
Under the law, previous to its being