The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-04
TRY A new Plan.
Topeka Teachers Appointed by
New Method.
Heretofore Superintendent Has
Forced Their Selection.
BOARD TO TAKE HAND.
They VIII Take Time to Inyesti-
gate Applicants.
Question About More School
Room for Negro Children.

The board of education, just before
the meeting adjourned last night, adopt
ed a resolution which had been intro
duced by E. E. Miller, member from
North Topeka, that hereafter when
teachers resign they shall place their
designations iii the hands of the clerk
of the board who shall Immediately in
form the chairman of the teachers
committee of the resignation.
The purpose of Mr.. MiIler's resolution
is to put a stop to the system of rail
reading promotions through the board
meetings as has been done for num-
Der of years. 1t has been the custom
for designations to be made to the sup
erintendent of schools. The conse-
quence was that the first the board
would hear of resignation would pro-
baby be on the night of the next board
meeting when the resignation would De
reported by the superintendent, and at
the same time recommendation OF
some one to fill the vacancy. This sud
den snap judgment way of doing bust
ness resulted in the board elect1ng
whoever was recommended by the sup
erintendent and in some cases friend
ship, instead of the fitness of the teach
er, has been the basis of the recommen-
dation-it is claimed.
Mr.. Miller proposed that this custom,
which was in vogue for half a dozen
years, come to a stop and that the
board have time TO consider the Ques-
ton of filling vacancies in the teaching
force. The resolution was not opposed.
Mrs Clement Smith and Mrs. Carna-
han appeared before the board to re-
quest the use of the new unused Park
dale school for q reading room and club
house under the auspices of the Topeka
federation of clubs. They explained
that the school yard would be trans
formed into a recreation ground for the
children of the neighEorhood and that
the building would be used for club
meetings, and that a library and recrea-
lion rooms would be furnished. Inc
federation expressed a willingness to
pay some rent.
This brought forth a discussion as to
the use of the Parkdale school in the
future. Since the completion of the La
fayette school the Parkdale building
has not been used. but the schools on
the east side are now the most crowded
of any n the city and more room must
be provided. The new Branner and the
Lafayette were expected to provide
school accommodations sufficient for all
and ii was the intention to abandon
Parkdale, but now the Washington
school, colored, and Parkdale and La
fayette are all crowded, and the coiored
patrons of Washington school have
urged that the board provide a better
ana larger ScnOOl Uul1olII6. 1AC Oool u
members admit that the petitioners
should receive what they ask for.
Whether to move the Parkdale
school to the Washington school site,
or to open the Parkdale school as an
annex to the Washington school, or to
move the old Nickle Plate school
building from Second and Buchanan
streets to Washington school grounds,
are the problems presented.
Judge Carver, who had investigated
the situation, said: cit will cost prob
ably $1,000 to move the Parkdale