Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-11
BOARD TAKES ACTION
No Change in Course Of In
struction in Schools.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
RELIGIOUS TONE AT EXERCISES
UNDER PRESENT RULES.
Letter Read From Gen. Boynton, Presi-
dent of the Board-Routine
Business.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT

By a unanimous vote, the board of edu-
cation. at its meeting at the Franklin
building last evening, decided to make no
change in the present course of instruction
in the public schools. Mr.. ]. H. Gordon,
vice president, was in the chair.
The position of the board on the subject
of religious and moral instruction is shown
in the following official statement given to
the press at the conclusion of last nights
meeting:
The subject of the introduction of reli-
g1ous instruction in the schools, as suggest
ed by the committee of fifteen, was taken
up and the following unanimous action rela-
tive thereto was taken by the board:
The board of education has carefully
considered the petitions asking for the in
PRODUCTION of a course of religious and
moral instruction as a part of the curric-
ulum of our District schools. This mat
ter has been considered solely from the
standpoint of the welfare and best interests
of our school system as whole In view
of the earnest protests that have been pre-
sented to us. many of them from large rep
resentative religious bodies, and undoubted-
ly inspired by conscientious motives and in
view of the unfortunate rancor that the
matter has already aroused, as is evidenced
by the public and private expressions that
have been brought to the notice of the board
we feel constrained to decline the adoption
OF the course suggested
Motives Appreciated.
In so doing we appreciate the motives
that have impeled the movers to take the
action they have, but believe the conditions
existing, If fully understood, would i'm
press them with the propriety, and in
deed. necessity, of our decision We do
not deem it desirable to enter into any
argument as to the many reasons other
than as above, which induced this action
for we trust that our people will believe
that the board have at heart the welfare
of the youth committed to our care, and
that the elevation of our wards morally
as well as Intellectually, is our first aim
The discussion in the public press and
from our pulpts has given rise to the i'm
preston that there is nothing done In our
schools in the line of moral teaching, and
that our exercises are without religious
tone. This of course, results from the
fact that but few of our people have the
opportunity of visiting these schools and
of familiarizing themselves with their
methods. We believe we go as far in the
direction suggested as any school system
in this country and We have studiously
pursued this course in the face of repeated
and earnest objections from representative
bodies and individual protestants.
Quotation From Rules.
That the public may be fully advised
We quote from the 1ollOWlng rules, In force
since the creation of the present board and
for many years previous:
Rule 46. Each teacher shall practice
such discipline in his school as would be
exercised by a kind and judicious parent
in the family-always firm and vigilant
yet prudent. He should endeavor to in
culcate truthfulness, self-control, temper
ance, frugality, industry, obedience to par
ents, reverence for the aged, forbearance
toward the weak, respect for the rights
of others, politeness to all, kindness to an
imals. desire for knowledge and obedience
to the laws of God; but no teacher shall
exercise any sectarian influence in the
school.
Rule AZ. The opening exercises in every
school shall consist of the reading by the
teacher, without note or comment, of
portion of the Bible, repeating the Lords
prayer, and appropriate singing.
We assert, to- the honor and credit of
faithful and efficient body of teachers, that
they have carried out the full letter and
spirit of our requirements; that they have,
by their individual integrity and good ex-
ample, nodded the characters of their pu-
pills, and have sent forth from our schools
the best type of representative American
youth
Statement hu Roard precidoDf