The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-05-07
CITIZEN COMMITTE MAKES REPORT ON SCHOOL AFFAIRS
Listen to Statements From Delegation cf Teachers and After Conference With School Trustees Committee Has No Criticism to Offer.

With the report from the arbitra- tion committee in school affairs, pre- the late unpleasantness may be con sidered in the light of a closed incl dent, so far as the committee and the trustees are concerned. The com mittee in it's report says it has no criticism to offer and it is evident that Trustees Alt and Risdon propose to proceed in the carrying out of their new school policies, notwith- standing the dissatisfaction in some quarters over the failure of certain teachers to be elected for another term. The purpose for which the committee was appointed by the Mayor and report of their investi- gation is outlined as follows:
 = TO THE PUBLIC:
 We, the undersigned, a committee of citizens, appointed by the Mayor to conduct an investigation into the discord which has arisen between the Board of Trustees and some of the teachers of our public schools, de sire to submit our report:
 On April 18th the committee met in the town hall where the purpose of the meeting was made known to them by the Mayor. At this meeting he had arranged to have present a committee of eight teachers; this committee stated their grievances to ao1 which might be summed up approxi- n,stely as follows:
 They had made their applications to the Trustees, filed in the usual and customary manner asking for re- appointment to their respective posi- tions for the coming year. They had not received their appointme ents, nor had they received any answer nor explanation from the Trustees, giving any reason why they had not been reappointed. They are now placed in very embarrassing posi- tion as regards future employment elsewhere, because of the uncertain ty of references, which they would be required to furnish other schools.
 Questioned by this committee it developed that in one case the appli- cation had not yet been rejected. In another case, a high school teacher, that since her original application was entered she had received one of the new forms of application blanks ther requesting position in the grade schools.
 In he case of City Superintendent ot Schools his activity in matters per taining to the election of Trustees had caused his rejection.
 In the case of the remaining appli- cants who were rejected it was sup posed by them that personal enmity, due to matters of election of Trustees, had influenced the Trustees in the appointments. Upon being question ed regarding their views or the public request by MT. Risdon, asking the teachers to refrain from taking an active part in the election of Trustees, it developed that they con- sidered that request in the light of an individual request and not as from the Trustees as body; that had the Trustees officially requested them to refrain from taking any active part fr the election they would have obey ed their official act
 Our committee thanked and ex- cused the teachers committee.
 Before leaving Prof. Williams, the City Superintendent of Schools, asked permission to attend the next meet ing of our committee with the Trus- tees; that request was refused. He then asked permission to state his case to our committee after our meet ing with the Trustees and this request was granted.
 Dr. McPheeters, our secretary, was instructed to invite the three mem bers of the Trustees to meet our con- mittee whenever it could be conven- iently arranged, and the first meeting adjourned subject to his call.
 When our committee met at the town hall on the evening of May 1st, they were surprised to find the hall full of citizens. It developed that MT. Risdon, without our know ledge, had called a public meeting by an announcement in the Copper Era inviting all to attend. This action was reconsidered by the Committee and also by the Board of Trustees, and