The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-09-18
BOARD Of
EDUCATION
Fire Drill System Is
Proposed For
Schools.

A proper method for emptying the
largest public schools in the city of
pupils to forestall panies ct fires, is a
matter which Superintendent of Public
instruction Babbitt viii take up in the
near future. He proposes system for
the Kaahumanu, Kaiulani, Royal and
Normal schools He desires to empty
the buildings of pupils in the least pos
sible time.
There are reasons, suggested the SUI
perintendent at the regular meeting of
the school board yesterday afternoon,
why a panic might break out some
time, although the buildings are sup
posedly free from the probability of
being burned.
Assistant Fire Chief Deering at one
time drilled the students of the Normal
school to leave the building at a fire
signal and carried out the plan sue
cessfully. 1t is not unlikely that Mr..
Deering may be called into consulta-
tion on the proposed system.
At yesterdays meeting besides the
superintendent and secretary there were
present Mrs. j. NJ. Dowsett, w. r.
Harrington, C. L. Wight and David Al,
school commissioners
A number of changes among teachers
were given out. Since assignment of
teachers to the schools before the com
mencement of the fall term. some have
resigned and some have exchanged
places, while others have been promot-
ed. Mrs Hofgaard, principal of Kihei
school has resigned, as her husband,
who was employed at a nearby planta-
ton, has gwen up his post.
Ruth Baker was empowered to open
a private school in Central Kona, This
will take the overflow from the public
schoolhouse, which is very much over
crowded. Miss Ella Paris, school agent,
recommended this course.
Sam Mahuka Spencer was appoint
ed school agent for North Kohala
There will be no school at Puako.
This is matter which the department
will take up later There has been a
lack of accommodations for the teacher.
The last, young man, had his sleep
ing quarters in the school cloakroom.
Miss Mcdonald of the Normal school
was allowed small amount to make
up a difference in her vacation allow
ance.
Thos. Kaai, principal of the Alae,
Kona, school, was given life certif-
cate, having rounded out the requisite
number of years to obtain this cherish
ed document. He began teaching in
the public schools in 1891 and for
thirteen years has been at the head of
the Alae school. The Inspector IS re-
port on Kaai shows that he is a
teacher.
The school year will comprise 80
weeks, divided as follows;
Fall term, September 10 to Deem
Der p, 10 weeks; winter and spring
term. January to April 5. 10 weeks;
term. April Is to June 81, 10
weeks
The first term is one week less than
usual, and the last term has one more
week added
Superintendent Rabbit stated that
In Massachusetts the school year com
prised about 40 weeks. In New York
state the average was So weeks, al
though in New York city it comprised
80 weeks. Punahou has a 37-week year.
The superintendent announced that |
the inspectors were to make com
plete circuit of their districts this !
term to report on the amount necessary |
for repairs to schools and grounds, 50 |
that an estimate may be prepared for
to the legislature. Mr..
Wight wanted something added to