Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-14

 waa established by the democrats and obliterated by the republicans each time. It's death knell has been ring ing for some time and those who kept their ears to the ground heard it plainly. Those who established the standard of examination are responsi- ble for its demise. tor in trying to place it above any school of its kind in the state they made it almost im- possible for the average candidate to pass, and fear of failing kept scorM Of High school ylrl graduates from at- tempting 1t.
 This was shown by gradually de7 creasing numbers of candidates for examination. and a few weeks ago when only two applied and one passed, it became evident to the majority of the board that the school had outlived it's usefulness.
 It was toward the close of the meeting when the resolution intro1 duced at the last meeting. obliterating the school was taken up. NIT Tinker then submitted the following report:
 Waterbury, Conn, June 13, 1904. Board of Education:
 Gentlemen-I would submit the fol- lowing report in regard to the City Normal school. This school has had somewhat checkered existence Estab- lished in 1897, it was discontinued in 1898 and reopened in 1899 and contin- ues at the present time. When the school was closed In 1898 the move seemed a wise one. inasmuch as a normal certificate was adopted as the minimum requirement. for prospective teachers, but the placing on the wait ing list of several young ladies who had only partially completed their training was questionable at least.
 Whatever is done at the present. time. similar action should not be ta- ken. If the school is to be closed 1t should only be done when practically all of the students have graduated.
 Tn 1899 when. there was talk of re- opening the school I did not hesitate to express myself as opposed to such action, but when tha board of educa tion, feeling that there WI I demand for such a school. voted reopen 1t, Rs a loyal official I detei .ined. with the cooperation of the board, to make our school, the best of its kind in New England
 Stringent regulations relative to it's management were adopted and Him. ttaHion placed upon the size of enter ing classes, and I regard the school as organized at present to be without a peer.
 The expense of maintaining the school has been less than that of schools of similar size in the city.
 1900 1901 1902 1903 City Normal $6e1 $52e $4a4 $559 rsrorfx~ an AEo nRQ Webster <. ". e9o 715 720 75s From the above 1t can be seen at a glance that as compared with the Crosby and Webster schools there has been a large saving. which has been due to the practice" rooms In charge of the normal class
 Still, this question is not wholly financial one. If all of our new teach CTS were to be trained in this school I should unhesitatingly pronounce such policy fatal to. the best educa- tlonal interests Of the city. but such is not the case; for example, during the present year only five (5) students will graduate from the City Normal school, while sixteen (16) young ladies from this city. graduates of other in- Stitutions normal and college, will be placed on the waiting list" An ideal policy would be to have a portion of our teachers locally trained, q portion trained in the state schools, and DOT ton selected wherever the best could be found. To quite an extent this policy has been our policy and I am glad to say that every board of edu- cation has lent its aid in this direction. Whenever local teachers can be found of suitable ability there is no reason for securing the state or country.
 Very fortunately for us the waiting list has been so large that the major ity of those appointed have had from one to two years experience in teach ing before entering upon their work in this city. Thus we have been able to secure not only specially trained but experienced teachers. Of those ap- pointed l am not able to pick out the graduates of any particular school, for ell are doing excellently As to whether there is any strong public opinion favorable to or desirous of the continuance of this school, am un- able to say; such decision lies with the board of education. Whatever is done should be done deliberately.
 If the school has passed beyond the stage Of it's usefulness and there IS AikCAJ pV bS AlU QcuduQ IOT fIH TGOpSI- ing. 10 should be closed. But to close the school one year and reopen it the neDt would be very unfortunate and would hurt us in the city and state. More advancement can be made under any settled policy than under one that is changed every year or two.
 Respectfully,
 B. W. TINKER.
 The report was filed and Commis- Aioner Larkin moved that the City Normal school be closed at the end of the school year 1905.
 Then followed a lono discussion on tho merits and demerita of the school. Commissioner Mcdonald said such a school was a necessity in the city It was esta blished at the call of the peo- pie because 1t was too expensive on the average person to send his daugh- ter to the State Normal school. After h tine the school was closed, but 1t was opened again by the demand of the people
 Commissioner Lawlor said the standard Of the City Normal school