Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-16

Praise for the business methods in use
by the board of education in its admins
tration of public school affairs is given in
report of a subcommittee Of the Board
of Trade, which has been forwarded to
that organization. The report, signed by
Aids b. Browne is but a partial study
of the entire school question and the in
vestigation starting several months ago.
when Commissioner Judson was advocat-
ing a complete change in the board OF
education and its methods.
The Board of Trade report finds no
fault with the present methods. and
leaves the subject with words of praise.
Other reports on school subjects will he
made later. the committee having said
that further consideration is necessary.
Text of the Report.
The report, copies of which are now in
the hands of members Of the board of
educ alton. is as follows:
Your subcommittee begs leave to sub
nit the following report on the manner
in which business is conducted at the
Franklin School building. and the cost
of maintaining our public schools, which
is partial report.
Your subcommittee found business at
IL
a systematic manner. looSe-leaf ledgers
and card index system being generally
used. Several items were taken from
the time the request was made by the
teacher and traced through the necessary
channels including the District property
clerk. until the same was delivered to
the person making the original requiSi-
ton. The only criticism your subcom-
mittee has to make in regard to the
question of supplies is that the work of
the District property clerk in this con-
necton seems entirely unnecessary,
simply duplicating the work at school
headquarters. This matter should be left
entirely to the school authorities. Here
with are filed blanks showing how requisi-
tons are made. approved and forwarded.
Matter Of Coal Investigated.
1.-The question OF coal was investigated
| and 1t was found that the requisition is
| made by the principal Of the particular
school or by the janitor direct to the
school authorities. who require the requi-
sition to be countersigned by the super
| intendent of janitors, whose duty it is
/ to investigate the coal conditions of the
| schools and to see If the coal as re-
| quested is required. Upon his counter
signing this request the coal is ordered.
| The school authorities keep a page in
| their ledger for each school showing the
| exact amount Of coal furnished that par
ticular building. The coal books were ex-
| amined back to the year 1900. and your
| subcommittee was told that the school
authorities have the books still earlier
| than that
Regarding the furniture. there is filed
with this report a record book which
| gives detailed accounts of the chairs and
| desks used by the pupils, the teachers
| desks and smaller chairs. blackboards,
pointers. erasers-in fact everything that
| goes In to a schoolroom This book is &C
| curately kept, and the teacher is hello
| responsible for any discrepancies. In this
book also is kept an accurate account OF
the text books used by the children.
System of Issuing Books.
THE system of issuing books is thorough
| The only criticism to be made is that the
| authorities are a little too economical
| making a book last longer than an in
| dividual would care to. There is filed
| with this report also copy of the rules
| and bylaws of the board Of education
Your subcommittee would recommend
that there be built a general storehouse
/ for the accommodation of school supplies
The fire depa rtment, by its recent regula
ton, prevents the storing OF school furni-
ture in the basement of the schoolhOuses
and consequently the school authorize:
have no place to store their extra sup
plies Since the accommodation for thu
storing of extra books and SUPPLIES is 81
! meagre. small lots of these have to b'
bought at an increased cost. BY havini
a suitable storehouse the District woule
be able to save considerable on the pur
), chase of its school supplies.
| your subcommittee wishes to acknowl
! ode the courteous and frank treatmen
! received at the hands of the school Off
Gals They were DESTROYS that com
| nlete investigation be made and used al
the means In their power to accomplish
this end.
n William Tenant. farmer residing a
Whila fara1 linz