Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-06
School Board.

present: MesSrs. lhOlnPoV"'
Strauss. Thomson, Carne, Harrison,
Bryant, smoot, Stabler and theSuperin-
teudant. Capt. Bry ant presided.
A committee from the joint commit
tees on finance and schools of the City
Council-Messrs. Bryan, Burke, Uhler,
Spinks and Sweeney-were also present
to discuss with the board the matters Of
finance, &c.
The chair, Capt. Bryant, said that
the Board would be pleased to hear from
the Council committees.
Capt. Bryan, chairman Of the Coun-
Gil finance committee, replied that his
committee was present to talk over fl
nance and school matters and to secure
information concerning the items of$2OOO
and 1892 asked for by the board. He
said Council was willing to do all in its
power for the schools, but he remind
ed the board that this was near the end
of the fiscal year and the city treas
ury was by no means full.
MIR. Strauss said the board had not
sufficient money to run its schools for
ten months, and asked if Council would
supply the deficit.
The clerk stated that it would require
81, 800 in addition to the amount now
in the school treasury to pay salaries
alone for the month of June.
Capt. Bryan asked if the 1892 item
for improvements at Peabody building
could not be left out of this years ex-
penses. -. -,
The Superintendent said this could
be done, as it would be better to do the
work after the schools have closed.
Mr.. Harrison said the Council ordi-
nances required fire escapes and sewer
connections; if Council did not insist on
this work it could be postponed.
Mr. Bryan said Council understood
that the 81, $50 extra appropriation for
this work would be sufficient.
Mr.. Harrison said that the changes
wisely made by Engineer Dunn in the
first plans increased the cost of the
work.
The Superintendent explained the in
crease of $50 a year in the teachers
salaries and said most of the teachers are
now receiving the maximum pay. He
said if Council would make good the
deficit this year the board would endeav-
or next year to prevent any deficit; he
thought change should be made con-
corning the gradi. G of salaries that the
teachers in some of the colored schools
were not teaching as many pupils as the
white teachers that some of the schools
might be consolidated next year that
this year all of the teachers expected to
receive their salaries for ten months and
that next year the board would try to
keep the expenses within the receipts.
Capt. Bryan thought these matters
should have been brought to the atten-
ton of Council sooner, for at the end OF
the year it was a difficult matter to
meet
Capt. Bryant said he understood that
the school term in all the other cities of
the State, and indeed elsewhere, was
nine months, and if the people of Alex
andria would be satisfied with shorter
term the expenses could be reduced.
Capt. Bryan asked if, as matter of
fact. the Alexandria schools are really
open more than nine months.
The Superintendent replied that the
schools were taught about nine and
half months.
Mr.. Bryan asked if it were not true
that the average increased attendance
during the past ten years had been
but II. whereas it cost over $34OO
more to teach these pupils than it
did ten years ago. He said he
understood that the white schools
had increased 90 during this time and
that two more teachers had been employ
ed. whereas the colOred schools had
decreased 80 and no teachers had been
taken of.
Cact. BRYANT believed the expenses
should be kept within the receipts, but
this wear the teachers should be paid
for ten months, whereas next year the
term might be reduced to nine months.
Mr.. Burke told of the receipts and
expenses of the city aud of the condition
of the treasury; he did not wish it I'M
derstood that Council desired to hamper
she board, but it was necessary for every
department of the city to practice the
Svtrictest economy.
SCr. Carne did not think the board
was O, pIoying too many teachers pri-
vste scbo us with fewer pupils had more
teachers
Mr. Strauss said the only question to
he answered was, Could Council give the
money to continue the schools for ten
months? 80.
Mr.. Uhler did not intend to critlcise
the board but thought that next year
the board would have to curtain l's
.exnenses; he said if Council made any
extra appropriations This year 1t would
have to borrow the money. In reference
to the school appropriations he said thal
Council for years had given the boarc
more than was required by law, notwi'n
standing it had been stated that Oounci
should pay the schools, under 'ne la"
$15, 900. IL.
Mr. Carne explained that from infor
nation received by some Of the memoer
they thought the board was entitled u
S15,0 $500,
Mr. Strauss asked the visiting com
amittee if Council would give the none
needed.
Capt. Bryan said his committee mus
meet before the question was answers