The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-12

I
| ms desire that the Tabernacle" corner
OF Minnehaha and Edgerton streets. be
secured tor the graduation exercises of the
cleveland High School,
Referred to the Committee on Conn
mencements
From Mrs. M M Pentland. requesting
permission to present illustrated lectures
| IN the schools of the city
Granted. with the usual conditions of
| lures.
IRON Mrs. William P Plant and Mrs
ST. Anthony Park Woman's Associa ton
appealing to the Board for n donation of
$2Ose TO help pay for a piano for the
Allowed
Yeas-Inspectors Boerfnger. Egan. Fry.
Fisher. Lindahl. Rogers, Mr. Presidents.
From Miss Laura A Williams. Super
visor OF Drawing. asking leave to attend
annual meeting of the Western Drawinr
and Manual Training Teachers AssoeIas
April "a.
To the Board of School Inspectors
Gentlemen: Several of the Charitable
organizations of st. Paul have expressed
| the opinion, through their officers that
the employment of a truant officer would
| be OF great benefit to the many children
VINO are out OF school and without pa
| have hesitated to recommend the ap-
pointment of truant officer because his
work can be effective only under the COM
PuiSory educational law of the state
which seems 10 be practically inopera :
tive. l desire, however to call YOUR at
tention to the matter in order that you
may examine the law and obtain informa-
tion touching actual conditions that will
| guide you In reaching decision.
Inc expenses connected with the work
would be, perhaps. s1.O0O00 to 81, 200. 90
Yours very respectfully.
A. ]. SMITH,
superintendent.
Referred to Committee on Schools.
st. Paul, Mimi. April s. 1905.
TO the Board of School Inspectors
Gentlemen: There are questions con-
nected with school administration con-
stantly presenting themselves for official
recognition and consideration. These are
SO many and so complex at times that
members OF Boards of Education in
otner cities seem to believe occasionally
Inat nothing short of an exhaustive In
curry INTO the work OF the entire system
VIII secure satisfactory results. num-
per or cities have appointed commissions
10 make such inquiry. others are investi-
eating certain lines of work or matters
| OF special interest. and there is a state
| oil uncertainty and unrest In MANY com
InunitieS that interfereS with the work of
4 Vic NCoCbCIS, QiSSdliSHeS the patrons OF the
schools and causes taxpayers to hesitate
IN making expenditures for purposes they
regard as of doubtful practical utility.
Inc value or some subjects now forming
part OF the childs daily programme is
! questioned by many good people. who
are not willing to accept a study because
It's CHIEF value is psychological or spirit
uai, especially as actual proof of such
good Is not easily obtainable. At the desks
OF the counting house in the columns of
the newspapers. in the home and among
teachers themselves there is an earnest
discussion growing out of wide diver
schools.
This condition should not exist. When
we consider the number OF years that the
schools have been established: the un-
| qualified praises that have been heaped
upon them; the cordial commentator that
they nave received. and the large sums OF
| money expended in their behalf 1t does
Seem that something should be regarded
as permanently, and definitely settled
system should be worthy of the conf
dence and support of the public.
Il believe that this is. the true condI-
ton, but at the same time 1 recognize
| tendencies creating a demand that will
4 change the work somewhat and will nee
essarily. IL approved and carried out, in
siderably. So far as st. Paul is concerned.
there are three questions bearing directly
upon the situation and that have been
receiving your attention and that press for
| final answer:
First-Departmenta work
1 oecond-School room economy e. e.,
number of pupils to a teacher and num-
Der of subjects required of a teacher,
| etc).
Third-The amount OF salary to be paid
| teachers and the plan by which the sal
aries OF individuals and OF classes shall
| be determined.
propose to invite your attention to this
| third point only In this paper. I am
| pleased to place before you a report OF
a ffon ted lNxrr "a
ago to consider the whole question of
the compensation OF teachers. Much time
and attention were given to the subject
| by the members of the committee and l
bespeak for them a careful and patient
investigation of the facts that they pre-
sent. In addition, also present for your
pals and teachers. bearing directly upon
| this report of the school principals.
This question Is being considered and
discussed by Boards Of Education In a
large majority of the cities of the United
states today. and In many of them plans
Tor an Increase of salary are being per-
fected. The feeling that teachers are
the tendency is towards higher salaries.
A question has arisen. however, in con-
nectien with the proposed advance which
has led to much discussion. viz: Shall all
teachers share alike In this advance? The
attempt to answer this question has led
TO the adoption of what is known as the
Merit system OF Compensation in some
IL. The plan has been actively discussed
In st. Paul for several months.
Briefly stated, without argument, my
opinion is:
First-That notwithstanding the large
amount expended for school purposes. we
cannot hope to maintain the excellent
standing of our school system without
materially improving the condition of our
teachers. ...a.
Second-That greater care in the prep
aration OF our teachers in the Teachers
Training School, and in selecting teachers
from other sources of supply, should be
continually exercised.
Third-That due notice should be taken
of the continued progress and growth of
teachers as shown in the management
and instruction of children.
Fourth-Differences in amount of COM
penSation should be determined by re-
sponsibiIity.
Fifth-The salaries of high school teach
ers. because OF the greater preparation
required. and of the magnitude of the re-
sponsibility. should be higher than at
present.
In order that these matters may receive
consideration before the budget for the
next school year Is prepared. respectfully
submit them. Respectfully,
A. J. SMITH
Superintendent.
Referred to Committee on Schools
To the Board Of School Inspectors
Gentlemen: I respectfully present the
following facts and figures touching the
condition In our several high schools The