The Washington times., 1903-09-20

July 2. 1900 As then composed. the
Board OF Education was Charles J. Bell.
president: j. Holdsworth Gordon, DR..
Richard Kingsman. Gen. George II. Har-
ries, Mrs. H. L. West. Mrs. John R.
Francis. and James f. Bundy. the last
two being the colored members of the
board. Since its organization there have
been two changes in the board In jan
uary. 1901. Mr.. Bell resigned and was
succeeded by Gen. H. v Boynton. Last
month General Harries resigned, and was
succeeded by James 2. Fitch.
The first secretary TO the Board Ct
Education was Major H. II. Twombley.
who served one year. lille in Office be
lahored untiringly i'm the general evolu-
ton of the system which was inaugural
ed at that time. He was succeeded by
W f. Rodrick.
Jurisdiction Of the Board.
The law of 1900, which provided for
the reorganization OF the public school
system, gave the board exclusive juris-
diction over public education. The
President of the Board of Commission
ers has a nominal supervision, but 1t
amounts to little more than advice upon
some important line Of policy, the pro-
vision OF new buildings and the repair
of old ones. and the purchase of sup
plies. Last winter. when the coal fam
inc was in progress Commissioner Mac
] farland gave much OF his time for sew
eral weeks to the solution of that diff
cult problem, and the result was that
one school building was closed a few
hours one day for lack of fuel. other
wise, as far as the conduct of public
education is concerned, in all It's details.
the Board OF Education acts independ-
emily of the Board of Commissioners.
except that annual reports are made.
and special statepents submitted when
called for. Employment OF teachers,
assignment of positions. choice of text
books. schedules of study. and all the
detail of the management OF the public
schools rests upon the Board of Educa-
ton. It's members a-e allowed each $500
for their services, and the law enjoins
the holding OF one meeting each week in
the school year. The funds for the sup
port OF the schools is paid out through
the District disbursing officer.
| The corps Of public instruction con-
sists OF A T. Stuart. Superintendent;
Mrs Ida Gilbert Meyers, Assistant SUI
perintendent, and w. S. Montgomery
Assistant Superintendent OF the colored
schools. There are twelve divisions OF
the schools of the District. each pre-
sided over by a supervising principal
as follows: c. S. Clark, first division;
selden NJ. Ely, second division formerly
in charge OF n. p. Gage, deceased; J. T
Freeman, third division; Isaac Fair
brother, fourth division; b. T. Janney
fifth division, the Oldest supervising
principal in point of service; w. d. Pat
terson. sixth division; J. r. Keene, sew
enth division. and one of the oldes
teachers in the District; DR.. II. NJ. John
son. eighth division; DR.. z. G. KimbaIl
ninth division; E. w. Brown. tenth dI
vision; James c. Male, eleventh di
vision, and J. b. Clark, twelfth division
The last three are supervisors over tn,
colored public schools. and the last di
vision was authorized by the last Dis
trict appropriation act.
inc HIS GSblSldulS ant
the supervising principals are all emf
nent educators who have won distinc
tion for themselves in their specia
fields Of work. The majority of then
have long been connected with tn,
schools in Washington, and have aide,
years OF experience TO their attain
ments. The same is true, possibly il
less degree. OF the principals and tn
gfeat body of teachers.
Teachers Poorly Paid.
one OF the serious problems wit
which the Board of Education has I
deal is the constant loss Of talent Tai
ented men and women 20 TO other cities [
teach on account OF the better salarie
offered them. Several times a year tn
Board is called upon to fill the positio