Evening journal., 1915-02-27
No CLOSED LIST
| FOR BOOKS SAYS
SCHOOL BOARD
Executive Committee Says
Cost Is Much Less Than
Alumni Alleges
DEFEND Other ACTIONS
THAT we're CRITICISED

iIHl Whhh UhlllulOLD
The executive committee of the !
Board of Public Education will make |
lhe following report to the board al
BE LeNt meeting. il being in the ma
als O. e. gsp.y 20 the statement Of
the himnTi A. sociation OF the High
I5,aca, auoM Tic high cost of books
fee Niimneioa schools, and other
isns5e'ts perteinlng to school manage
nent:
i'1Lc Beard O. Public Education in
Wilmington;
an view ol the recent published
eistemeut al,cgeG 10 have been made
'ty the Alumni Association of the Will
lmington tf.gh School, in which is
made specific charges of mismanage-
ment by the Board of Public Educa-
.iCn. the executive committee of the
o;rd submits the following state
lrnt.
Contracts for books and supplies
lre awarded after public advertise
ncnt, to the lowest bidder. The Sc
lection of text books is left entirely
with the superintendent.
There is no CLOSED book list as
alleged by the Alumni officers as
lfwenty-nino book companies are sup
riying school books to our schools.
"Tho cost of books per pupil in
Wilmington according to the Alumni
I0ficers' Interpretation of the United
States school reports is as follows
1910. Sill; 1911. s164: 1912, S1O5;
whereas the actual cost Der pupil in
Wilmington was as follows: 1910.
u cents; 1911. Ga cents; 1912, 81
cents.
"The cost Of supplies per pupil in
Wilmington according to their inter
Dretation of the United States school
reports was as follows. 1910, "a
scnts: 1911, 10 cents; 1912. S4 cents
Whereas the actual cost per pupil in
Wilmington was as follows: 1910,
521-2 cents. 1911. 90 cents; 1912. 80
,ents. The increase OF cost for 1912
was due to the establishment of man
nal arts departments covering all the
schools
"As to the low average OF graduates
rom the number enrolled. which has
always existed, is largely matter
resting with parents and guardians.
and one which the board has no con-
rol.
As to the underpay of teachers and
ianitors. a fact that has long been
recognized by this board. due 10 in
sufficient appropriations and lack OF
resident revenue raising powers ;
Every effort having been made to rec
tify this condition but without avail
until this year, when Council increas-
ed the appropriation for teachers
salaries.
"As TO the advsability of building
The No. 80 Schoolhouse. that was the
result of persistent and insistent de-
mands of a large number of citizens
who proved their need of public
school in that section. and the board
/ was unanimous in selecting the loca-
ton. which was donated to the board.
!. When the schoolhouse was opened
A nine rooms were filled. thereby reliev-
ing the crowded condition Of Schools
4 Nos. 2. .. u. "a and 2S. greatly TO the
satisfaction of the late superintendent
1 Or George w Twitmyer.
I'VE also submit the following state
i ments from e. s. r. Butler and Son
who have for number Of years, had
Il Tho contract for books and supplies
/ showing the purchases OF books and
4 rupplies during 1910. 1911 and 1912
\ these being the years under consider
a aiior. also q statement from the su
4 pervisor OF music relative to music
4 books
"Respecifully submitted.
"A "John Palmer. Jr
Thomas o. Cooper,
George RomInel.
Samuel IT. Baynard."
"Poard of Public Education, vii
mington. Del.
"Genilemen: Complying with you
request for statement as TO th'
amount of vour purchases from us o