Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-11
CRITICISED BY BOARD
Reduction of School Estimates
by Commissioners.
RESOLUTION OF ENQUIRY
Pupils Annual Holiday to Begin
: Saturday, December 81.
BASIS OF TEACHERS RATING
Repairs to Buildings Needed-Ap-
pointments, designations, Pro-
motions Teachers.

r
of the District came in for criticism be-
cause in their estimates submitted to
Congress they omitted some and reduced
others of the recommendations for ap-
preparations fixed by the board. An order
was passed by the board extending the
Christmas holiday of the schools. order
ing that 1t begin Saturday, December q.
instead of Tuesday. December "a. Rou-
tine matters were also considered. Ow-
ing to the absence of Supt. w. E. Chan
cellor. through illness, Asst. Supt. P.
NJ. Hughes, by invitation Of President
Oyster. sat with the board through its
meeting.
w. V. Cox, chairman of the ways and
means committee of the board, called the
attention Of the members present to the
printed estimates of the District Com
missioners and pointed out that some
items had been omitted and others cut
down. He stated that the recommends
ton of the board for the appointment for
school architect at 5000 per year sal
rians and clerks and librarians. contained
in the original recommendations of the
board to meet requirements of the con-
troller, were omitted: that in another
place the word Kindergarten had been
used instead of "kindergartens'' that the
estimates for plumbing had been cut from
$4,000 to 10000: that the recommends
ton for the payment Of 81 200 to the coun-
sci Of the board had been omitted; that
the recommendation of the board for
gymnasium equipment had been cut from
$50 600 to $4,000; and that the recommen-
dalton for the completion of a four-school
building at Brookland had been cut 1000
and the building made two-room build
ing instead Of four-room structure, as
recommended BY the board.
President Oysters View.
II think the board ought to assert its
position in this matter" stated President
Oyster, when the changes were enumer-
ated "The law provides that our esti-
mates shall go to Congress as they are
submitted to the Commissioners by the
board. Yet our estimates have been cut
down by these people. 1t will surprise me
if the board stands for it,
1t was then suggested that the secretary
of the board be authorized to write the
Commissioners and learn why these esti-
mates were cut. A motion was finally
made that the secretary write to the
commissioners to inquire "by whom and
by what authority the estimates of the
board were cut" and the motion was
passed unanimously.
Then the matter Of compensation for
counsel for the board came up, and it was
pointed out by Mr.. Cox that the Commits
Sfoners first refused to allow the board an
attorney and compelled an appeal to the
President of the United States. and that
now the Commissioners cut out of the
estimates the item for paying the counsel.
Il move that the Commissioners be re-
specially requested to restore all the
| items cut out" said Prof. Evermann, with
salary.
Il think We ought to say that the
board desires that the Commissioners re-
place all the items omitted from their esti-
| vy1r. $acs To-
was left that way. This concluded the
discussion of the estimates.
the first matter to come before the
board, after it had been called to order by
capt. oyster. was request that the
school at WOODBURY. be closed at go n m
with only half hour recess instead Of an
hour at noon. to allow the teachers there
TO catch the train back to the city leaving
that station at 2:37 pm. The request was
granted.
Annual Holiday.
Upon the recommendation of Asst.
Supt. Hughes, Supt. Chancellor. in a
written communication. recommended that
Friday. December 20, shall-be the last day
of school before the Christmas holidays.
instead Of the date prescribed by the rules
OF the board-Monday. December Gas It
was suggested that there would be little
benefitin having the pupils return to school
MONDAY. when their minds were filed with
christmas entertainme nts and there would
pc great inconvenience in starting UP
.'he school heating plants for one day
AFTER the recess of Saturday and Sunday
This motion was adopted by the board
The question of caring for the overflow
al the Business High School and the Nc
kinney Manual Training School when the
| promotions would be made to those
| schools in February was taken I'D. and
| the matter was referred to the committee
| on high schools to await the reports as
| to the extent of the overflow.
motion was made to amend the rules
OF the 9oatd by adding regulation re-
quiring that no person be reappointed a
| teacher after having been away on an
extended sick leave without physical ex-.
| ANNA ton TO show that the teacher will
| be able to perform the duties of the posi-
ton to which she is to be appointed
President Oyster called attention to 2
| complaint which he had received stating
| that owing to an unsafe rail at the Pierce
School child had fallen downstairs and
| been hurt.
This Is some more of the good work
| done by Mr.. Ashford commented Presi-
dent Oyster. provoking a smile. President
Oyster stated that he noticed a similar
| condition at another school, and other
tons In other schools which require at
| tention by the repair men. Among the
schools mentioned were the Mott Thomp-
son and Central High schools.
Rating Of Teachers.
| In answer to questions by members of
| the board Asst. .upt Hughes stated
that teachers were being rated on reports
made last March, and that he thought this
rating should continue during the present
year. thereafter, he said, the rules pro.
vide for a new rating every year
The Commissioners reported that the
| schools are using many more stamps
| than formerly and urged economy. Mem
bers of the board made answer that they
| were paying their own postage for many
official communications.
The District auditor reported that land
| had been purchased for a new twelve
room building in the eighth division.
resolution passed by the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association calling
attention to the urgent need" OF a
| high school above Florida avenue, to
be located above that avenue end be-
tween 18th and 18th streets, was read
and referred to the committee on build
| ings and sites.
| 1t was explained to the board by
| Asst Stunt Hughes in answer fo fueS-