The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-14
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
ASKED FOR
CHATHAM ACADEMY TRUSTEES
ASKED TO ERECT NEW BUILDING
ON THE PRESENT SITE.

Committee for RepOrt-Htgh school
Tuition Fees Removed
By a unanimous vote the Board of
Education yesterday decided to ask the
| trustees of Chatham Academy to erect
a modern High School on the site of
the present building. The resolution to
that effect was presented by Col. ]. H.
Estill.
The necessity for a new building be-
came pressing when it was decided to
| establish manual training as a part of
the curriculum of the schools. The new
system must mean additional classes
| and will therefore require more room
and the erection of new High School
building was thought to be the best
plan that could be adopted. The resolu-
ton of Col. Estill is as follows:
Whereas, Manual training having
been made a part of the curriculum of
the public schools, and the grand jury
having by an appropriation to carry
out that project has given it's approval
of the same; and whereas, this addi-
ton to the classes in the schools re-
quires that there should be more
room:
Therefore, be it resolved, That the
trustees of the Chatham Academy be
| and they are hereby respectfully re-
quested to erect a modern and commo-
dious building on the site of the pres
ent High School, upon the same terms
| and conditions as were provided when
the building now used for Chatham
Grammar Schools No. l and No. was
built:
Resolved further, That the Commit
tee on School Houses be requested to
enter into communication with the
trustees of the Chatham Academy with
the view of carrying out the object set
forth in the previous resolution.
! No definite action was taken on
manual training. The Finance Com
| mittee, to which the matter was re-
| ferred, reported that the grand jury
had appropriated $4,000 for that pur-
| pose, though it had asked for IS 00O
| The committee has not yet had time
| to make complete investigation of
what could be accomplished with this
sum, and asked for an extension of
time. This was granted by the board
The following is the report of the
committee as presented by Col. J. H.
Estill:
THE Finance Committee respectfully
report that under the resolution estab-
fishing manual training, which was re-
ferred to it, a letter was addressed to
the grand jury asking an appropriation
of $4,000 with which to establish and
support said system, at the same time
| calling the attention of that body to
| the adViSability of abolishing tuition
| fees in the High School and suggesting
an appropriation of 1900 for that pur-
pose for the remainder of the current
| year.
I'm response to this request the grand
| jury promptly appropriated $500 for
manual training and $1,000 to pay the
| expenses of the High School for the
| purpose of making it a free school.
Your committee is unable at this
meeting to present a fuller report, and
| therefore respectfully request further
time for the consideration of the i'm
portant business intrusted to it,"
The question of removing High
School tuition fees was discussed for
some time by the board. On motion of
Mr.. O'Byrne, 'in Difference to the
wishes of the grand jury, and in view
of their appropriation for that pur-
pose" the board unanimously voted to
remove the fees, beginning on Oct. 1,
1904.
Superihtendent'sR Report.
The board met in Chatham Academy
at . o ClOCk lOf llS anIludl meeting.
Those present were President George
A. Mercer. Col. ]. H. Estill, Messrs
Henry Blum, Lee Roy Myers, j. r.
Saussy, NJ. f. Dunn, NJ. A. O'Byrne
and r. j. Davant.
In his annual report Supt. Otis Ash
more recommended that, wherever
practicable, a change be made in the
text books used in the public schools
to secure uniformity with the text
al hu Sta rn-
ject of the change is to secure the books
at the reduced rates of the state books.
The matter was referred to the Com
mittee on Text Books, with instructions
to investigate and report back to the
board at its next meeting. 1t is I'M
derstood that changes will be made
wherever possible without there being
any loss in the high standing and char
acter of books as compared with those
now in use. Mr.. Ashmore has already
briefly reviewed the books adopted by
the state in an interview in the Mornin g
News
The report stated further that at
present there are $40 more children in
the schools than there were at the same
time last year. Everything is moving
smoothly and regularly, and teachers
and pupils are working in perfect har-
mony. The general conditions are bet
ter than they have been at any time in
the past
During the year physical culture has
been introduced and under the efficient
direction of Miss Sara Charlton. good
progress has been made. The teachers
library is being maintained, and much
good resulting therefrom. A general
spirit to cooperate for advancement in
all lines is shown by all connected with
the schools.
other Matters Before the Board.
The petition of residents of West Sa-
vannah for the establishment of a
school in that suburb was read and
laid on the table for the present, aft
er considerable discussion by the MEM
bers of the board.
The resignation of Miss Emma Hop
kins as a public school teacher was
read and accepted. One year ago Miss
| Hopkins was granted a years leave
of absence to study in the Teachers
college in New York. She resigned
this year in order to complete the en-
| tire course.
In view of the probable crowded con-
ditions of the Cathedral and Chatham
schools next year. Mr.. OByrne sug-
| gested that the Cathedral School be en-
! larged by adding another story to
the main building. This would pro-
vide two additional school rooms. The
matter was referred to the committee
on School Houses for report at the
next meeting of the board.
The reports OF the principals OF the
! different schools were read and re-
ceived as information. on motion the
reelection OF teachers was postponed