Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-16
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Superintendent Tinker's Report
 on Kindergarten Teachers.

matters nowadays that It was after
 the usual hour of meeting when tho
 board of education was called to or
 der by the mayor last evening.
 James Herman, janitor of the Dug l gan school considered himself entitled
 to overtime wages while the double
 session was held there Inst fall. and
 his application for proportionate com pensation was filed.
 A. l. Chatfield, inspector of build-
 ings, sent in his report on the condi-
 ton of the east and west wing walls
 of the Crosby High school.
 Building Inspector Chatfield's re-
 port to the board was to the effect
 that even If the walls did fall in. nothing dangerous would result, for they are not supporting walls. | Nevertheless, it was the opinion of Commissioner Monagan and for that
 matter of all those present last eve ming, that they would not care to be on the premises if the walls cOmplain- ed of happened to cave in. Commits. siOner Chapman stated that pupils on the second floor can shake the en- tire building by jumping on the floor. While the report was not received with anything like thanks it was given the customary fate, filed.
 Superintendent Tinker sent in the following report
 Waterbury, April 10, 1907. To the Board of Education:
 Gentlemen:-I desire to call your attention to the preparation of teacll- CTS for our kindergartens. When OUT kindergarten system was started in 1902 and during it's earlier years, though most of the appointees were graduates of some institution equal to the high school. we accepted, in few cases. some who were not graduates Ot high school. or of an institution of similar grade, but who had had large experience in Kindergarten work. This was necessary on nc- count of the large number of posi- tiOns and the smallness of our wait ing list Inasmuch as we have at present supply of available kinder gartens sufficient for several years, which number will be doubled by those graduating next JuJne, would request the board to consider the ad- visibility of placing the Kindergarten system on exactly the same footing as the grades. in order that there may be no lowering of the standards of our teaching force. Ths action be- comes necessary because, while the State Normal schools require for en- trance certificate of graduation from a school of the high school grade, the private kindergartens have no standard for admission, but will receive students who have not even completed the grammar school course. Such being the case it can be readily seen that in point of preparation anu time necessary 10 secure diploma. the kindergarten graduate or the state normal schools is placed at great disadvantage as compared With graduates from tie private klndergartens. If tlepresen teon- ditions continue. in q short time no young ladies will take the time and expense necessary tos ecure n high school education before entering up- on the special kindergarten training and this will soon render our kinder garten system less efficient. As the city pays us good salaries for this work as in the grades it has a right to demand similar preparation.
 Under the rules of the board it is impossible to assign the graduates from private kindergartens. who have not completed the equal of an high school education, to any grade posi- ton while they are waiting Kinder garten vacancies, and any increase fin the number of such graduates on tle waiting list" will only result fin an. noyance and friction. sf
 l would recommend that section Id. chapter of the rules and regulations of the board of education be amended to read as follows:
 No teacher shall be hereafter ap- pointed. who is not a graduate of High school or institution of similar grade. and of state normal school or m approved kindergarten training school or of recognized college" hnd by correspondence that three Wa. lerbury young ladies who do not have diplomas of the High school grade ire now in attendance to private kim iergartens. and I would recommend. nat in order that no injustice may he lone them. their names be placed on me waiting list" when they gradu. ite. Respectfully.
 B. W. TINKER. The report was filed. after which