Evening journal., 1916-06-19

method OF handling lahllolr. int lo"h
tors are paid a salary, out OF when thcy /
have TO furnish extra help and materials 4
for cleaning the buildings IT has been
suggested that one ianitor, IN great
many cases, could look after two build /
ings, and IL seems to us to be good Dnsi- !
ness for the Board of Education to pay
for all the help which the janitor needs, !
as well as materials, and then see that
he uses both to the best advantage. We
submit the case of the ianitor in the
High School. referred TO on Page OF /
Mr.. Wrights report, as a case in point
and il certainly seems to ms that TINS
method shows lax management ON the
part of the Board of Education.
Board Has All Responsibility.
The Board of Education now is and al
ways has been separate corporation,
created for the express purpose OF con
ducting the public schools, and as such
it is in the best position to know their
needs. financial and otherwise. by hN-
ing its annual estimate of the financial
needs of the schools. it has always been
the purpose and intent of the law TO
impose the duty as well as the responsi
bilitv for the maintenance and efficient
| management of the schools on the Board
/
and responsibility should not he divided
with CITY Council. which has no special
| knowledge of information as TO the
needs of the schools, we recommend that
the amendment to the law passed by the
! Legislature in 1918. dividing the financial
responsibility for the cost of maintain
ing the schools between the Board OF
Education and City Council, be rescinded
aud the law restored TO its former
status.
Accountable For Deficits.
We have said nothing in this report
about the deficits which the Board OF
Education have incurred each year, but
we feel that as taxpayers, we, in the
future, should hold this Board of Edu-
cation squarely to account, and make II
our business to see that they do obey the
law and hold them personally responsible
if they do not
Your committee would further recon-
mend that il be continued TO assist in
carving ou the recommendations con
tanned in this report and if necessary TO
proceed to draft such amendments to
the school laws as may be deemed ad-
visable We would further ask that your
committee he instructed to report not
later than September first, of this year.
Results of the Audit.
Following is set forth the results of
an examination of the Board of Edu-
cation records from July !, 1914, to
April 3, 1916. by Peter r. Wright. audi
tor, upon which the recommendations Of
the committee are abased'
To the Board of Directors, Chamber OF
Commerce, Wilmington, Delaware.
L.. N J.
: request ! have made an examination OF
the affairs of the Board of Education in
Wilmington covering the period from
July /, 1914. to April 3, 1915 inclusive
and herewith submit my report.
This board is a corporation, having
b perpetual existence and succession, anS
under Section , of the Act of the Gen
eral Assembly of the State of Delawar
b approved March 80, 1905, The Board o
n Education in Wilmington shall have gen
e eral and supervising control, government
e and management of all the public school
and all public school property of th
city; shall exercise generally all power
d in the administration of the public schoo
p system therein, appoint such officers
e agents and employees as it may deem
necessary and fix compensation" etc.
The Boards Powers.
- Division 4 under this same section
!. grants il power "TO purchase, lease o
; improve land and sites for school house
and school purposes; TO build, purchase
-. lease, enlarge, improve, alter and repai
school houses and their appurtenances
> to purchase, improve, exchange and re
Q pair school apparatus, books, furnitur
and appendages; TO procure fuel and de
, fray the contingent expenses of school
under its control; to pay the salarie
and wages of all officers, principals
!, teachers and employees of said Board @
T. Education"
Section 3 states that il shall be CON
u posed of thirteen members. one froI
each of the twelve wards with the pres
, dent as the remaining member.
Personnel Of the Board.
> The officers and committees are as 70
Id lows; Samuel H. Baynard, president
'e Harry j. Guthrie, secretary.
D. Executive Committee.
% Thomas o. Cooper, NJ. d., chairman
70 teachers; John Palmer, Jr, NJ. d., chat
- man of books; George Rommel chairma
10 of fuel and janitor; James Logue, chai
D man of evening schools.
ID, Finance Committee.
!, Victor ID. Washburn. NJ. d., charms
a, of finance; Frank r. Zebley, chairman
q new buildings; John c. Kersey, charm,
m of insurance; Charles A. Hagner, chai
man of printing.
Property Committee.
Id Hiram Yerger, chairman of repair
re Harry c. Buckmaster, NJ. d., charm,
iir of health; Edwin f. Denney. chairman
mt law; Walter j. Campbell, chairman
We accounts.
on The president of the board is exotic
on member of all standing committe
NO with vote in case of a tie.
L. The board meetings are held on Z
us second and fourth Monday in the mon
ly and are open to the public In looki
ng over the records note that one memb
I'D has only attended one regular meeting
ais the board since August Q, 1915. T
it members of the board serve without
ng muneration.
'er There are thirty-one school buildin,
rs organized into two high schools, Fl
ie, grammar and twenty-six primary.
ot Public School No. 10 (colored' they ha
TO- a high, grammar and a prh airy col
bined.
II,Is7 Pupils Enrolled.
20 The enrolment of pupils in the pub
we schools on April l, 1916 was II 1877 o
he of a total registration of 1860 for {
an school year up to that date.
aid Financial Statement.
nd This corporation began its fiscal v,