The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-17
Bell Opposed To
 Woman Assistant
 Supt. Of Schools
His Colleagues on School Board Take a Different View. Pro-
 SDeCtiVe Promotions

That there is a difference of opinion a woman assistant superintendent of | schools in Bridgeport was shown at last nights meeting of the board of education. A. W. Bell most strenu- ously opposed the appointment of Miss Fanny Hurley, principal of the Ma plewood avenue school to this posi- ton and John F. Brady, Elmer H. Havens, Superintendent Charles w. Deane and other members of the board took just the opposite view of the case.
 MT. Bell was of the opinion that a woman has no right to have so much authority vested in her as would be carried in this appointment. He said that the men instructors under her of taking orders" from her.
 "I think the members of the com mittee in recommending" the appoint ment of Miss Hurley to this respon- sible position have displayed very poor judgment, especially since there are capable men teachers in this city who could fill the position" said MT. Bell. ''If we are going to have an assistant superintendent or supervisor of schools I think we should go out Of town to get one. If I were one or these male teachers, such as MT. Will Hams, or MT. Courtright, I would re- sign before I would take orders from woman principal"
 MT. Brady and MT. Havens both championed Miss Hurley's cause. Said MT. Brady: '@The committee in select ing this teacher as the one to be rec commended for the position of super visor of schools felt and continue to feel that a more capable teacher would be most difficult to find in this or any other city. The work in the schools <o nidIv that there should be a supervisor of schools to assist pr. Deane, the superintendent. in carrying out his work.
 '~The committee met and found that Miss Hurley was perfectly qualified in every way to fill the position. She knows the work, appreciates local con ditions, and realizes just what is needed in the Bridgeport schools
 MT. Bell said that he appreciated the need of a supervisor of schools to assist Superintendent Deane but he said that he believed it was a mans business to assist the superinten- dent.
 Dr. Deane did not altogether agree with MT. Bell on this point for he offered the inforTnation that the pub lie schools of BuffaIo, New Haven, Bal timore, New York, and many other large cities have had women in ex- actly this kind of position The su- perintendent explained that Miss Hur- ley s WOTk WOuIQ De to uI11Iy I4fC WOIh in the grade schools in the city so as to have the work in the different schools all done in the same way and not have one instructor teaching subject one way and another instruc- tor teaching 1t in an entirely digerent way.
 MT. Ravens said that Miss Hurley was very highly recommended for this position. He didn't think any man principal would object to having her appointed as assistant superinten- dent. ''If any man principal does ob- ject to it,' said MT. Havens, 'I sim cerely hope that he will send in his resignation next Friday night
 CT hope so, too.' echoed Mr. Brady. and several of the other members.
 The matter will be definitely decided at the meeting of the board to be held in the city hall Saturday even ing, June 21st. at o'clock. As the board with the exception of MT. Bell appears to be in favor Of Miss Hur- ley's appointment there is little doubt but that it will go through. The new position will carry with it a sal ary of $2,oo0 a year. Miss Hurley as principal of the Maplewood avenue school now receives $1,5o0 a year.
 Other appointments recommended were as follows: Lena Barry, princi- pal of the Summerf1eld school; Caro- line wooster, principal of the Kossuth street school; Grace Anderson, princi- pal of the Whittier street school; So- phia. Grumman, teacher of history in the high school; Clara Preston. teach CT in sewing.
 The committee which made these recommendations is composed or Messrs. William Lieberum, Elmer H Ravens and John F. Brady.
 It was unanimously voted to place Maria Cullen, who has been a teach CT in the local schools for more than 45 years, on the substitute or retired list She will receive half pay or $40O a year.
 Specifications and bids for the heat ing plant for the new Myrtle avenue school were received and it was found that the lowest bidder was Richards & schard CT Stamford who agreed to do the work for $5.564. It was anoved that this matter be referred to the committee with power to act if in their opinion the lowest bidder compiled with the architects plans and specif- cations.
 It was moved that action on the matter of appointing an inspector to examine all paint used in painting the schools of the city be postponed until some future meeting.