Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-27

~ president Both
& & phases relate tC
- - teachers. and In
| the message to the board a warning Is
given that teachers who are not up tc
the standard will be weeded out OF
the service as rapidly as Is consistent
! with the rules.
The review says on these points:
"One is the treatment to be accorded
teachers who are marked poor For
| merly from such the longevity pay &C.
credited for a years successful teach.
ing was withheld as a warning and as
| a wholesome stimulus. This we may
no longer legally do, on the authority
OF the controller Of the Treasury, who
holds that we may dismiss a poor
teacher, but may not restrict his sal
ary.
Retention Not Justihable.
TT Is but asserting a truism to say
that the retention Of q confirmedly poor
teacher is unjustifable at any salary.
The solution would seem to lie in a
warning from the superintendent that
any teacher rated poor for two sue
cessive years must expect the only al
tentative action left to u.s. One of
two results would necessarily follow,
either the warning would be curative
or the corps be strengthened by the
removal Of weak teachers and the ap-
pointment Of competent ones.
THE other problem that confronts US
Is the treatment of those teachers or Of
ncers who have long been the most ef-
hcient and capable In our force, but whose
usefulness Is waning by virtue of many
years OF service or advancing infirmities
Time increases the number Of such and
lessons their teaching power. The board
comedies to these faithful teachers q
debt OF gratitude for past efficiency But
our obligation to the children is para
instruction available. Some adjustments
OF leave without pay may be found nec-
essary."
Cost Of Schools Considered.
The document presented by President
Oyster would make diary of the school
year. as every educational matter OF
importance is mentioned. The contro-
versy over the cost of schools is not for
gotten:
During the year the board was made
the target OF a number Of criticisms
charging that the Washington public
tion was promptly faced and found to
rest on skillfully juggled figures and in
the revival OF q personal animus. When
dennite allegations were demanded the
critics claimed the board was being de-
frauded in the purchase Of school furni-
ture.
Happily. through the far-sighted
recommendation Of our superintendent
a committee OF school officials by your
order mad FOR some time made critical
installation. rigid examination by
the best outside experts sent by the
Board of Trade exploded the charges
The outcome OF similar inquiry made
by representatives of the Central Labor
Union has not been of1cially reported
to you. but oral advices from the Sec
retary Of that body is of the same IA
vorable tenor"
Increase in Buildings.
schools or additions have been placed
in commission during the year. the
largest increase in any year in the his
tory OF the schools. 1t mentions that
seven schools or additions to buildings
the third addition to the Mckinley
Manual Training School The James
Ormond Wilson Normal School and
Normal School No. will be started
shortly.
Matters of equipment are reviewed
and il is shown that the schools are In
much better shape than they were q
year ago in such details as steel clos
cts, drinking fountains. Fairgrounds
etc
Parent-teacher associations are men
| toned as being of extreme Importance
safe and sane foot ball In the
| high schools was mentioned; simple
| graduations. commercial branches In
the Eastern High scnooi. nome gar
dens etc. are all referred to as being
| distinct achievements Of the year. The
| salary troubles Of the teachers are
spoken of sympathetically The open
| air school on the Blake puiiolns IL
| mentioned as a huge success.
Officials Complimented.
| Speaking of the recent changes. the
| review concludes:
This resume would be incomplete
without reference to the loss sustained
by the schools in the resignation or
/ March / OF Assistant Superintendent P
| NJ. Hughes, whose whole professional
| career had been devoted to the cause
of public education in this city. BY his
indefatigable industry, ripe scholar
/ ship and excellent Judgment he con
tributed greatly to the progress of ou,
schools
with the recent changes resulting
from this vacancy you are familiar. Mr.
Kramer. who has lately performed dou
therefor. returns TO be supervising prin
cipal enriched by his experience as di
rector Of intermediate instruction.; the as
sistant superintendency, by Mr.. Thurs
toms appointment. is in capable hands
and that ofYice. as heretofore. will con
tinue to render valuable assistance I,
the superintendent and TO our board.
Returns to Old Post Of Duty.
Mr.. Stuart beloved not only by th
entire supervisory and teaching staff, bu
by the children from kindergarten to tn
normal schools, will re-enter upon hi
fayorite duties. thus continuing his coun
sells and strengthening the bonds OF af
lection he already enjoys.
. DIR. w. NJ. Davidson. the new super
, intendent, Is wise in council and prudent
!, ~ sagacious: he comes to us in fu.les
vigor strong in educational achievement
elsewhere and dominated by a fixed pur