Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-06
BOARD READS HISTORY
SCHOOL OFFICIALS PREPARING
FOR CENTENNIAL.
Foster Bill Discussed and Proposed Re-
organization criticised-Changes
in the Corps of Teachers.

Papers relative to the history of the pub
lie schools, giving the progress OF educa-
ton in the various departments since the
establishment OF the first District school.
100 years ago, were read last night at the
weekly meeting OF the board of education.
The histories have been compiled as part
OF the annual reports OF directors and
supervisors Of divisions. and will be ineor-
porafed in the superintendent annual re-
port.
The origin of the system its purpose to
provide education for those only who could
not pay any tuition expenses. its means or
support, are Indicated by the following
statement given out by the secretary OF the
board:
In 1904. by an amendment to the charter
government OF the city of Washington. pro-
vision was made for the establishment and
superintendent of schools On the 18th o,
December OF the same year the city coun-
ell passed an act to establish and endow q
permanent institution for the educat ton or
youth in the city of Washington which
provided for n board of thirteen trustees,
seven to be elected by the joint ballots OF
the two chambers of the council and six to
be chosen by individuals contributing to
the promotion of the schools as provided
for in said act. For the support of the
schools the act appropriated so much Of
the net proceeds of the taxes on slaves and
ordinaries and taverns retailing wines ana
spirtuous liquors. billiard tables, theatre
cal ana other amusements, hawkers and
peddlers. as the trustees might decide to
be necessary for the education of the poor
of the city, not to exceed the sum of 81 800
per annum. The act also provided for the
appointment of select committee of three
counciImen. whose duty II should be to so
licit or provide for soliciting. both at homo
and abroad. contributions In money or lots
for the benefit of the schools. One of the
largest contributions that of $500,
made by Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson Trustee.
1.-THE first board of trustees consisted OF
Thomas jefferson. Thomas Monroe. Ga
briel Duvall. Thomas Tingey, Joseph Brom-
bey John Tayloe, Robert Brent, William
Brent, Samuel H. Smith, William Cranch,
George Blagden John Dempsie and Nicho-
las King.
They met in the Supreme Court room
United States Capitol, August 8. 1903, and
were called to order by Robert Brent.
Thomas jefferson. then President or the
United States. was elected president of the
board and accepted the Office in a letter
dated Monticello August Il, 1895, but was
prevented from ever discharglng lts auleS
by Others of paramount obligation
western school and an eastern schooi Were
established. and the first teacher 70 com.
mence work January. 1905, was Hichafo
White. principal teacher of the western
school, whose salary was to be $ooo per
annum.
"On October 81 1906 the board author
lied the erection of the first two schooi-
houses to be located on lots owned by the
United States. the use OF which Tor tnts
purpose had been granted by President 1ei-
ferson These schoolhouses might have
been modelled after Noahs ark, for we are
told that they were built of wood one story
high fifty feet long, twenty feet wide, ana
cost, together, 81 Al AT the pes,n.i,ss
of the school year 19o5-06 the District OF
columbia owned 14S school buildings, the
cost of which aggregates over SooU,oU.
A letter from A. S. Getterman. chairman
of the volunteer committee on Ilee leS.u ag
to the people. was received. The letter, au-
dressed to Mr. VIM. w. Conner, secretary
Of the board. suggests that the nist annual .l
report of the committee be included IN inc
report of the board of education 10 ths
commissioners of the District. a corrected
cony of the report was included, the cor
rections indicating that certain lecturers
had refused compensation.
Discussed Foster Bill.
II, view of the fact that a schedule or
salaries for the officials and teachers OF the
public schools has been In preparation py
tho superfntendent during the past sum-
mer which schedule will be presented in q
hill, to Congress and transmitted to the
Commissioners within a few days, the fos-
Z ar hill reorganiZing the pubic scnool eSS-
tenn was, 1t is said. the cause of considerable
discussion. 1t is reported that the board,
while granting permanent schedule with
the desired increase to be necessary, main
tains reorganization of the system 10 DC
rncalled for The report or the Sommis-
sioners as stated yesterday IN Ihe star,
states that "A better scale OF salaries, par
ticularly in the higher grades ana prince
nalships would induce more or our own
Graduates to choose the profession Oh teach,
ing" and prevent 1.-The outflow OF seasoHso
teachers" The bill being prepared py the
hoard provides for this Increase OF salaries,
but makes no change In the organization
Changes Of Teachers.
The board ordered the following changes
In the teaching corps
Observation-Disclosures uss. $50 to Sooo' r.
r. Bailey, $500 to s525; r. NJ Mahoney'
SOS to $3.50; G. NJ. may. -, $500 to sa2o
Appointments-Mary B. Richards. Annie
B. Davidson. Hazel Haines. Margaret
ScudGer for the grades, and A. ID: suVus;
Substitute teacher in mathematics and
nhysics at the Mckinley Manual Training
School. -. ..o
Leaves OF absence-Extension or three
months to NJ G. Sylvester, NJ. *. Bryan,
Catharine Robinson.
THE question of abolishing trips OF hlgh
school athletic teams was not taken up
last night. The matter probably Will be
considered at the next meeting OF the board
on December Ii.
A. Arpaol for EnpliSh