f L-^ r c^ X C-' , 'H^> /^ ROCHESTER, N. Y BOARD OF EDUCATION BY-LAWS — AND- J TT r\ r\^ JL-L \^ KJ J n MccrcK, 1882. ROCHESTER. N. Y. : UNION AND ADVFRTISER COMPANY'.-, BOOK AND JOK PRINT, 1882. By Com. Kingsley : Board of Education, Feb. 20, 1882. Resolved^ That the Superintendent in connection with the Law Committee, arrange and codify the by-laws of the Board preparatory for publication, so as to include the various changes and ameniments that have been made since they were last published. Adopted. In pursuance of the above we hereby certify that we have carefull}' compiled the various ainendments to the by-laws that have been made from time to time since their last publi- cation, and further certify that the following is a true, com- plete and correct copy of the by-laws as amended and now in force. H. A. KITsGSLEY, ALFRED F. CORK, \ Law Com. C. NICHOLAS EASE, C. N. SIMMONS, Sup't. BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Adopted April Uh, 1881 and including all amendments to Maich \st, 1882. ARTICLE I. OKGANIZATION. At the first regular meeting required to be held by the citv charter, the Superintendent of Schools shall call to order and read the City Clerk's certificate of the election of School Com- missioners for the currenc year; and the persons whose names are included in such certificates, together with the members holding over, a majorit>^ being present, shall appoint a tempo- rary chairman from their number, and proceed^by^a mva voce vote to elect a president, superintendent, Aschool carpenter policeman, assistant librarian, engineer and janitor of the free academy, and messenger. W henever a vacancy occurs in either of the offices above named, the Board shall fill the same bv a mva voce vote, but a concurring vote of a majority of all the members of the board shall be necessary to make such appointment, j-4^^ amemded, April .4;^.1£,8I,)-^ USRARY OF iiONGR&SS i928 DOCUMENTS DlWiSIOM BY-LAWS. ARTICLE II. PRESIDENT. Section 1. The president shall, at the time hereinafter specified for holding the meetings of the board, a majority of the commissioners being present, take the chair, and maintain the standing rules of order adopted by the board. Sec. 2. He shall, as soon as practicable after his election, appoint the standing committees. Sec. 3. lie shall, at the regular meeting in March, deliver an annual address, which, unless otherwise ordered, shall be published by the superintendent in his annual report. Sec. 4, He may call special meetings when he deems it necessary; and it shall be his duty, when requested by eight members in writing. ARTICLE III. meetings of the board. The regular meetings of the board shall be held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month, at tl>e free acad- emy building, unless a different place be designated by pre. vious notice. The hour of meeting shall be 7^ o'clock. 4 BY-LAWS. ARTICLE IV. OKDER OF BUSINESS. 1. Keading and approving ot the clerk's minutes of the previous meeting. 2. Presentation and reference of bills and accounts, and communications to the board. 3. Communications to the board from the president. 4. Communications to the board from the superintendent. 5. Reports of standing committees, and action thereon. 6. Reports of select committees, and action thereon. 7. Unfinished business of previous meeting. 8. Other unfinished business generally. 9. Executive business. 10. Miscellaneous business. ARTICLE Y. Every bill, account, or other paper, shall, previous to its presentation to the board, be so indorsed as to clearly indicate the substance of its contents, and the name of the member presenting it ; and it shall not be in order to present any bill or paper not thus indorsed. ARTICLE YL All reports ot committees shall be in writing, and shall be filed by the clerk. All special reports shall state the facts substantially appearing before the committee ; and all reports recommending action by the board shall terminate with a resolution. ARTICLE YII. All resolutions and amendments thereto shall be in writing and read by the clerk before they shall be in order. All mo- BY LAWS. O tions and amendments shall likewise be reduced to writing, at the request of tlie presiding officer, and sent to, and read by the clerk, betore debate. ARTICLE VIII. All questions relating to the priority of business shall be decided by the presiding officer without debate. ARTICLE IX. The cleik shall have, at every meeting of the board, a list ot unfinished business of the previous meeting, and a separate list of unfinished business generally, in the order of its intr»- duction, which shall be read without motion, when unfinished business is in order. ARTICLE X. In all cases of the appointment of officers by the board, a majority of the votes of the members of the board shall be necessary to a choice. (As amended April 3d, IS76.) ARTICLE XL The presiding officer shall decide all questions of order without debate. From his decision an appeal to the board may always be taken by any member, and on sucli appeal such officer shall have the right to briefly assign his reasons for his decisions. ARTICLE XIL No member shall speak at any meeting more than twice on the same question, nor more than fifteen minutes at a time, except by consent of the board. ARTICLE XIIL The ayes and nays on any question before the board shall be taken at the call of any member thereof. The ayes and nays shall alwaj's be taken upon orders or resolutions direct- ing the payment of money. O BY-LAWS. ARTICLE Xiy. Every member refusing to vote on any qaestion, unless ex- cused by the board, shall be deemed to be in contempt, and the fact entered upen the clerk's minutes. ARTICLE XV. Each member shall be in his seat when a vote is beinsf taken and while ballots are being counted. ARTICLE XYL In all cases of entries of resolutions and motions in the clerk's minutes, the name of mover shall appear. ARTICLE XYIL No member shall absent himsef from the board before ad- journment for more than ten minutes at a time, without leave ot the presiding officer. ARTICLE XYIII. When a blank is to be filled, and different sums or times are proposed, the question shall be taken first upon the largest sum or longest time. ARTICLE XIX. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be enter tained except the following viz ; to adjourn for the previous question, to postpone indeffinitely, to postpone to a certain day, to lay on the table, to commit, or to amend ; and these several motions shall have precedence in the order given, ARTICLE XX. When, on taking the previous question, the board shall de- cide that the main question shall not now be put, the main question shall be considered as still remaining under debate. If the board shall decide that the main question shall now be BY LAWS. i put, and there shall be pending amendments, the question shall be at first taken upon such amendments in their order, and without further debate or amendment. ARTICLE XXr. The American Manual by Geo. T. Fish, of this city shall be the authority on parliamentary law. (As amended Feb. 16th 1880.) ARTICLE XXII. There shall be the foilowinor standing committees of the board, to be ap})ointed by the president, unless otherwise or- dered, which shall consist of five (5) members each, viz : 1. Committee on finance. 2. Committee on qualification and employment of teachers. 3. Committee on examination and organization of schools and grievances. 4. Committee on text books, library and apparatus. 5. Committee on buildings (as amended Feb. 20, 18S2.) 6. Committee on sup])lies. 7. Committee on fuel and fire fixtures. 8. Committee on printing. 9. (Committee on the free academy. 10. Committee on law. 11. Committee on Repairs (as amended February 20th 1882.) 12. Committee on the division and apportionment of the teachers and contingent tund. 13. Unless otherwise ordered, all special committees shall consist of three members, and shall be appointed byt he presid- ing ofiicer, and announced at the same or next subsequent meeting of the board. BY-LAWS. ARTICLE XXIII. Section 1. No committee or employee of the board shall, on the part of the city, enter into any contract or agreement involving the payment, by resolution, appropriation or other- wise, by the board, of money to an amount exceeding fifty*' dollars, without such contract or agreement having received the previous ratification of the board (^K& amended June 4th,. 1877.) Sec. 2. All bills shall hi reporied to the board for refier- ence to the finance committee, at the second reo-ular meetinof in each month. Said bills shall be paid at the first meeting in each month and at no other time. No bill shall be paid at any meeting unless the same shall have been reported by the proper committee at least one week previous. (Adopted Sept. 18th, 1876.) ARTICLE XXiy. Upon every matter referred to a committee, such commit- tee, or a majority thereof, shall meet for inquiry and deliber ation ; and no report shall be entertained, unless a majority of the committee shall have actually examined and concurr- ed in the same, at a meeting regularly called. ARTICLE XXY. ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. These by-laws may be altered or amended at a regular meeting of the board, by a concurrence of a majority of the members thereof, upon giving one month's previous notice, in writing, of the proposed alteratiou or amendment, or by unan- imous consent of all memVjers of the board. BY LAW?. ARTICLE XXVI. DUTIES OF COMMITTEFS. Section 1. Comrmtt e on Finance. — The committee on finance shall have the supervision of all of the fiscal concerns of the board, and report the conditions of the various funds in Jnlj, November and February. They shall make the nec- essary estimates of money to be raised by the Common Coun- cil for the support uf the schools, and report the same for the action of the Board at the first regular meeting in May. They shall examine all accounts presented to the Board, and consid- er and report on all matters referred to them ; but they shall audit no bills or accounts unless countersigned by a majority of the Committee having such bills or accounts in charge. They shall, also, see that the school property is propeily in- sured ; but no insurance shall be effected, nor shall any ex- isting policies be renewed, without first reporting to the Board, Sec. 2. Committee on Qualification and Employment of Teachers — The Committee on Qualification and Employment of Teachers, shall, in connection with the Superintendent, examine all applicants for position in the schools ; and no person shall hereafter be employed to teach, either by the Com- mittee or the Board, who does not hold the requisite certificate of qualification. Hereafter, however, graduates of the Roch- ester Free Academy who shall have completed a three years' course of study and received a diploma, and also graduates of either of the Normal Schools of the State of New York, who have completed the prescribed course of study and hold a diploma, shall be entitled to a Teacher's certificate with- out further examination, which shall license them to teach in all the Public Schools of the city of Rochester except the Free Academy and the first grades as principals of Grammar 10 BY-LAWS. Schools. Thej shall, at the #«t regular meeting in report to the board the names of such teachers as they deem qualified for their respective posititions, and the amount of salaries at which they shall severally be employed. And such salaries shall not be increased nor diminished except by a resolution of the board. Said teachers to be employed during the pleasure of the Board. (As amended Jan'y 15, 1877 and Sept. 5th 1881.) First Grade — Applicants for the principalship of grammar schools, before entering upon the duties of their positions shall pass an examination in orthography, spelling and defining, penmanship, mental and written arithmetic, English grammar, -geography, American history, physiology, algebra, geometry, constitution of the United States, astronomy, mental philoso- phy, and theory and practice of teaching. Second Grade — All others shall pass an examination in the same branches, except algebra, geometry, astronomy and mental philosophy. No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed to teach in the public schools. Said committee shall also, when vacancies occur, fill the same, and shall make such transfers of teachers as they shall ■deem necessary, and report their action to the Board at the next meeting. They shall have power, and it shall be their duty, to suspend any teacher who shall repeatedly violate the rules of the Board, or whose example or influence is prejudi- cial to the cause of public; education in the city. Sec. 3. Cominittee on Examination and Organization of Schools and Grievances. — The Committee on Examination and Organization of Schools and Grievances, shall attend the annual examination of the several schools ; prepare, in con- BY-LAWS. 11 nection with the Superintendent, and submit to the Board, fiiich special rules as they shall deem necessary to secure the most effective instruction and discipline of the schools, especially in reference to the arrangement of classes, the course of study, the order and decorum of the pupils, and their constant and punctual attendance. They shall see that the standard for promotion be such as will equalize the numb3r of pupils under each teacher. They shall consider and decide all cases of discipline report- ed to them by the Superintendent, arising from the enforce- ment of the rules of the Board, or ot the teachers. They shall have power to restore, suspend, or expel refractory pu- pils, from any school, as the necessity of the case may demand ; and, during suspension, or after expulsion, no pupil shall be admitted to any public school, without the consent of said com- mittee, except by resolution of the Board. Sec. 4. Committee on Text Books, Library and Appa- ratus. — It shall be the duty of the Committee on Text Books, Library and Apparatus, to report to the Board any ciiange they may deem necessary in text books for the schools, and such books as they may deem proper to be added to the libra- ry, and after the approval of the Board, to purchase the same ; and, in connection with the Superintendent, exercise a general supervision over the central library and school apparatus ; and, in February, make a general report of the condition and number of volumes in the library. Sec. 5. Committee on Buildings. — The Committee on Buildings shall have the general supervision of the construc- tion of new buildings and of enlarging any of the old school buildings, and also the improvement of sites ; and it sh:^ll be their duty from time to time to report to the Board upon the 12 BY- LA Wei. expediency of, constructing new buildings or enlarging any of the old ones, and also in relation to purchasing or improving sites. They shall also, at the last regular meeting in March each year, make a detailed report in writing of the condition of the buildings, of the improvements made during the year ; also to recommend any building or improvements which they maj' deem necessary or expedient for the ensuing year, (As amended February 20th, 1882.) Sec. 6. Committee on Supplies. — It shall be the duty of the Committee on Supplies to purchase and keep in repair all desks, tables, and other school furniture, and provide all nec- essary supplies for the schools, not specially in the care of some other committee ; but they shall not authorize the pur- chasino; of any supplies or school furniture to exceed in amount, in any one month, the sum of SlOO, without lirs^ having obtained the consent of the Board ; nor shall said com mittee alter any school furniture, or re-seat any school room or building, without the consent ot the Board. Sec. 7. CoTnmittee on Fuel and Fire Fixtures. — It shall be the duty of the Committee on Fuel and Fire Fixtures, to advertise for and receive proposals for the necessary fuel for the ensuing year, and report the same to the Board for con- sideration, and, when authorized, contract for the same. They shall also provide the necessary fire fixtures for the schools ; but they shall not exceed in all their purchases, in any one month, the sum of $100, without first obtaining the consent of the Board. They shall, during the summer vacation, ex- amine the heating apparatus of the several schools, and report its condition, and recommend any changes or additions they may deem necessarv for the consideration of the Board. Sec. 8. Committee on Printing.— It shall be the duty ot BY-LAW.'*. 13 the Commitrce on Printing to report to the Board all matter that, in its judgment, shmild be printed, and shall sui»eriiitend all printing ordered by the Board. Sec. 9. Committee on Free Academy. — This committee shall be the special guardian ot the interests of the Free Academy. It shall recommend suitable candidates to fill all vacancies that may occur in its corps of teachers, and shall, in connection with the Superintendent, examine all applicants for positions in the school. It shall, at the first regular meet- ing in August, report to the Board the names of such teach- <^rs as are deemed qualified for their respective positions, and the amount of salaries at which they shall severally be em ployed. It shall annually report such changes in the course of study, in the method of discipline, and in the general regu- lations, as it may deem expedient. It shall have power, and it shall be their duty, to suspend any teacher who shall re peatedly violate the rules of the Board, or whose example or influence is prejudicial to the interests of the school' It shall have power to suspend or expel refractory pupils of the school, oi- restore, as the necessity of the case njay demand ; and dur- ing suspension, or after suspension, no pupil shall be reinstat- ed without the consent of the committee, or by resolution of the Board. It shall, at sueh times as it may deem proper, consider and report upon the expediency ot erecting, altering or insuring the school building, or improving the grounds, and shall have the superintendence of any alterations that may be authorized by the Board. The standard for admission of pu- pils to the schools shall be fixed by the committee, in connec- tion with the Superintendent. It shall be its duty to pur- chase and keep in repair all desks, fire fixtures and other school furniture, and provide all necessary supplies for the school. But they shall not authorize the purchasing of any supplies or school furniture to exceed in amount, in any 14 BY-LAWS. one month, the sum of one hundred (100) dollars, witliout having obtained the consent of the Board All by-laws, reso- lutions, or orders of the Board, in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed. Sec. 10. Committee on Law. — It shall be the duty of this committee to consider and report upon all legal questions aris- ing in the administration of the schools, and all other questions that may be referred to them. Sec. 11. Conim^ittee on Repairs. — The Committee on Re- pairs sliall have the general supervision of the school carpen- ter ; the purchasing of the lumber and materials required in making the repairs of the school buildings, and to have the general charge of leasing, altering, improving and repairing the school houses and their appurtenances. And at the last regular meeting in March in each year they shall make a detailed report in writing of the expenditures during the year, and a statement as near as may be of the re- pairs that will be required the ensuing year. Sec. 12. Comm,ittee on the Division and Apportionm,ent of the Teachers and Contingent Fund. — The Chairmen of the Finance and Teachers Committees, together with the Chairmen of the several committees having charge of the ex- penditures out uf the Contingent Fund, shall be a Standing Committee on the Division and Apportionment of the Teach- ers and Contingent Fund, and it shall be their duty imme- diately after the annual appropriation by the Common Coun- cil of the school moneys, to divide and apportion the funds then in the treasury for the payment of teachers' wages and contingent expenses, by setting apart a portion lor the pay- ment of teachers' and janitors' wages. Superintendent's salary and the salaries of the other employees of the Board (except school carpenter), which division and apportionment shall be BY LAWS. 15 subject to the approval of the Board. A corresponding ac count shall then be opened by the Superintendent in the led- ger, and the amount thus set apart shall be passed to the credit of said account, to be termed the " Teachers and Em- ployees Account." The funds in this account shall be under the general charge of the Committee on Qualification and Employment of Teach- ers, and if at any time said fund in said account shall become exhausted the schools shall then be closed until the next an- nual city appropriation or until the fund is again repU-nished^ After the above amount has thus been set apart for the pay- ment of teachers' and employees' wages, the balance then re- maining in the contingent fund shall in like manner be equit- ably apportioned among the Committees on Supplies, Fuel and Fire Fixtures, Free Academy and any other committees having charge ot expenditures out of the contingent fund. Separate and corresponding accounts shall h'kewise be opened and for each of said committees, in the manner above specified for the '' Committee on Qualification and Employ- ment of Teachers." Any funds received during the }ear creditable to the con- tingent fund, viz.: tor the tuition of non-resident pupils, or from any other source, shall also be aivided and apportioned in like manner. The Board, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may transfer from one account of the contingent tund to another (except from the Teachers' and Employees' Account), but no member of the Board shall contract for any- thing or vote to pay for anything out of any of the said con- tingent fund accounts, unless there shall be funds therein to pay the same. 16 BY-LAWS. No funds shall be drawn for any payment out of any of said accounts except by a vote of the Board upon orders signed by the President of the Board and Superintendent and in the manner now provided by the charter for funds in the city treasury to the credit of the Board of Education. The orders to be drawn on each of said accounts shall be distinguished by being printed on different colored paper (each account having a distinct color of its own), and shall be so worded that the Treasurer shall know to what fund they are chargeable. ARTICLE XXYII. CLERK. The Superintendent, in the capacity as Clerk of the Board, shall keep a faithful record of its proceedings, with the names of the members present and absent, and publish the same in such papers in the city as the Board shall, from time to time, direct; give reasonable notice of all special meetings; make out and submit to the Board all reports required by law to be made to the Common Council, or to the Clerk of the County, or to any other body or person, in such time that the same may be acted upon and com- pleted by the Board at the periods prescribed by law, and transmit the same, and perform such other duties as may from time to time, be imposed upon him by the Board. ARTICLE XX7III. SUPERINTENDENT. The superintendent, under the direction of the board, shall, at all times, have and exercise complete supervision over the public schools of the city; also over the several school houses, premises and appurtenances, and over all school property con- nected therewith- and shall faithfully perform such duties BY-LAWS. 17 connected with the administration of the free school system as are, or shall be, required of him by law, or by the authority of the board, among which are the folio wing : Section 1. He shall, out of office hoars, devote himself exclusively to the visitation and supervision of the public schools. He shall give particular attention to the classifica- tion of the pupils, and shall see that the rules and regulations of the board are unitormly and faithfully observed in all the departments of the schools. Sec. 2. He shall devise a system uf blanks, for registers and reports, have charge of their distribution to teachers, and prescribe rules tor the keeping thereof. These blanks shall be adapted to show the attendance of each pupil in the schools, the number of those who are constant and uniform in attendance and those who are not,together with the degree ot ii regularity of the latter. He shall report,as nearly as may be, the number of children in the city who attend private and select schools, and those who are not attending any school. He shall also investigate the causes of truancy and irregularity on the part of the pupils, and devise such checks and remedies, not in- consistent with the rules ot the board, as he may think proper. He shall order a general inspection of all the schools during the last three weeks of the spring term. Each school shall be examined consecutively, in the order of its number, giving one day to each grammar school and one-half day to the inter- mediate schools. Ample Jiotice ot the time of examination shall be given in the daily papers. Sec. 3. He shall, from time to time, in connection with the committee on organization, ascertain whether the school districts are so divided as to atiord equal facilities, so far as may be, for all to attend the several schools, and report to the 18 BY-LAWS, board such changes in boundary as may seem likely to im- prove the classification or lessen the expense of maintaining the schools, without prejudice to their efficiency. Sec. 4. He shall also attend or advise with anv standing; or special committee of the board, in respect to matters they may have in charge ; and shall, during the last month of the summer term, examine, in connection with the teachers, the various grades, and promote all qualified, according to the standard of qualification by the board. He shall, also, imme- diately after the close of the school year, having first given notice in the daily papers, examine the "A" classes of the .first grade of the grammar schools, and other eligible candi- dates, residents in the city, for promotion to the free academy. In the examination, pupils shall be required to write answers to printed questions prepared by the regents of the university, of the State of Kew York, and the examination shall be con- ducted according to rules prescribed by the regents. When the examination is finished, the examining committee shall carefully examine all the answers — which shall be filed at the superintendent's office — determine the per cent, of ex- cellence in each study, compute the average of the several studies, and record the whole in tabular form. From this statement, the committee shall designate those who are enti- tled to admission to the free academy. No special examina- tions shall be allowed ^except by order of the free academy committee. Sec. 5. He shall report to the board, at the close of che school year, the number of pupils promoted by him, or hj his direction, and the grade from which such pupils were pro- moted, and also the names ot the teachers from whose depart- ment such promotions were made. BY LAWS. 19 Sec. H. He shall cjive prompt attendance to every instance of misconduct duly reported to him by the principal teacher of any school ; and if, after eyaraination, it cannot be other- wise redressed, he shall report the same to the committee on school organization and grievances for their advice. Sec. 7. He shall keep a record ot liis official acts, which shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of the board, and at each regular meeting thereof, he shall prepare and submit an abstract from the monthly reports of tlie principals of the schools, and communicate to the board such other information relating to the condition of the schools, as he may deem advis- able. He shall, also, annually, on the first Monday in Sep- tember, submit a general report, in which shall be exhibited in detail, the operations of the public schools during the pre- ceding year, their condition and prospects, and the state of ed- ucation in the city generally; to which shall be added such statistical and other information as may be deemed important, including an abstract of the annual and monthly reports of the teachers, and the detailed report of the central library and school apparatus , and such other statistics of the same as will enable the board to judge of their condition. Sec. 8. He shall, in connection with the committee on employment and qualification of teachers, direct and conduct the examination of teachers. Sec, 9. He may, under the direction and with the assent of the committee on employment of teachers, in case a va- cancy occurs in any public school during the interval betvp-een the meetings of the board, employ a teacher to fill tlie same ; but no such contract with any teacher shall be valid beyond the first meeting ot the board thereafter, unless the same be approved by the board. 20 BY-LAWS. Sec. 10. He shall acquaint himself and the board with the school systems of other countries, states and cities ; their organization, modes of government, and the practical work- ings of their systems ; for this purpose he shall effect the best arrangement possible for the exchange of reports between this and other school boards. Sec. 11. The superintendent, under the direction of tlie committee on employment of teachers, shall have the power to suspend any teacher from employment, and shall report the same in writing, with the reason therefor, to the board at the next meeting thereof. Sec. 12. He shall, under the direction of the text book committee, purchase and have charge of the text books pro- vided for indigent pupils, or for the use of teachers, who shall kee|) a correct list of the same, and the schools for which they have beet) purchased. Sec. 13. Pie shall see that non-resident pupils are not ad- mitted to the public schools without payment of tuition, as follows : In the free academy, at the rate of $30 for a school year; in the grammar department of the public schools, at the rate of $20 per year; in the intermediate department $15, and in the primary department $10 per year, and he shall report the names of all teachers who retain such pupils in their schools unless their names have been duly reported, and they have been properly admitted. Any person of school age who shall have taken a temporary residence in the city for the purpose of attending school, shall be considered a non- resident. Sec. 14, As general librarian, the superintendent shall have charge of all the books belonging to the central library, under the direction of the librarj' committee, and shall be responsible BY-LAWS. 21 or their delivery to his successor in office ; and shall also' annually, during the last week of tlie school 3'ear, cause the catalogue of books therein to be corrected, giving the number, title and condition of each book, which he shall deliver to the committee on libraries, to be then submitted to the board, with such report thereon as the committee may deem proper. Sec. 15. He shall call a meeting of the teachers on the first Saturday of the school year, and on every secoud Satur- day thereafter during the year. The meetings shall com- mence at 10 o'clock A. M., and close at 12 M. The object of these meetings shall be to introduce the best methods of im- parting instruction, and the best system of school management. A part of each session shall be devoted to the recitation of model classes from the various schools. Model object lessons shall also be given. SCHOOL REGULATIONS. ARTICLE XXIX. DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS. Section 1. Principal to he Responsible for the Enforce- ment of the Rules of the Board., — The principal in each school building, as the head of the school, shall be held respon- sible for the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the board for the guidance and direction of teachers and the gov- ernment of tiie schools ; and he is hereby authorized and directed to carry them into effect. Sec. 2. The Principal to Visit each Department if the Schools Daily. — The principal in each school shall devote some portion of each day in visiting the other departments thereof, fur the purpose ot supervising the labors of the other teachers, and ascertaining whether all the records of the school are regularly and accurately kept, the pupils properly classi- fied, and the parents or guardians duly notified of the absence of their children, in all cases when the cause of such absence is unknown, or not satisfactory to the principal. They shall cause written programmes of the daily exercises of the several grades to be placed in some conspicuous place in the school room. Sec. 3. To Transmit' Reports to the Superintendent. — They shall transmit to the superintendent, at the close of each SCHOOL KEGULATIONS. 23 month and year, full reports, according to blanks furnished them, with such additional information as the board may from time to time require, or as they may think important to com- municate ; and any failure, except from sickness, to file with the superintendent the aforesaid reports, according to the lull requirements of the forms prescribed, shall debar them from the reception of their salary until the same be rendered to the satisfaction of the board. Sec. 4. The Keys of School Buildings. — They shall, at the close of the school year, return the keys of their respec':ive buildings to the office of the superintendent ; and also file with the superintendent a schedule of the articles used in and belonging to said building. Sec. 5. Care of School Property. — They shall see to the safe keeping of their respective school buildings, the furniture, books, and apparatus contained therein ; and the fences, trees, shrubbery and out-buildings belonging thereto ; and they are required to see that the ashes are properly sifted by the j ani- tors, and the " siftings " burned. Sec. 6. Pupils not to Appear about the School Premises at Unseasonable Hours. — They shall require the pupils not to appear in or about the school premises earlier than thirty minutes before the commencement of the school, and prevent them from annoying the inhabitants in the vicinity of the school. Sec. 7. Pules of the Board to be Bead to the School. — The principals shall, from time to time, read to their respective schools so much of the regulations ot the board as will give the pupils a correct understanding of the rules by which they are to be eoverued. 24 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. Sec. 8. Pupils to provide themselves with the necessary Teid, Books — Indigent Pupils. — They shall require all pupils to furnish themselves with the necessary books in conformity with the rules of the board, and no scholar shall be allowed to retain a place in the school for a longer period than one week, unless so provided ; but should the parents or guardians of the pupils in any school present satisfactory proof of their inability to furnish their children with the required school books, he shall send a written order to the superintendent, with the reasons assigned, specifying the books needed. These books shall be only lent to indigent pupils, to be returned to the principal teacher at or before the close of the year, or when- ever the pupil may leave the school. Sec. 9, Opening and Closing of School. — The principal in each school building shall see that the opening and closing ot school, and also the recesses be simultaneous in all the depart- ments, except as may be provided in the course of study. Amended Jany. 5, 1880, as follows : — " And shall also either he present personally, or arrange that at least one teacher he present half an hour hefore the time specified for commencing School in the morning^ Sec. 10. Promotion of Pupils. — They shall, from time to time, report to the superintendent the names of such of their pupils as are deemed prepared to enter a higher grade. They shall, also, at least one week previous to the time fixed for the examination of pupils for admission to the free academy, re- port in writing, to the superintendent, the names of all the pupils in their respective schools who have completed the course of study prescribed tor the grammar schools, and also their deportment and scholarship for the preceding term. SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 25 Sec. 11. Exaraination Results. — They shall keep a record in a book provided for the purpose, of all the promotions made in their respective schools, showing the age and examination results of each pupil promoted, which book shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of the superintendent and members of the board, and when filled, shall be sent to the office ot the superintendent tor preservation. Sec. 12. Admission of Non-resident Pupils. — Any princi- pal admitting non-resident pupils to his school, without proper authority, shall be subject to reprimand and discharge. Sec. 13. Any principal who shall authorize the use of any text book by his pupils other than that authorized by the board shall be discharged. Sec. 14. No principal shall permit any book or other agent to visit the school rooms for the purpose ot taking orders for, or selling his goods. Sec 15. No principal shall be allowed to sell any books to pupils, or permit them to be sold in the building ; but he may, as heretofore, sell writing and drawing books, paper, pens, ink, rubber erasers, pencils, slates and slate-pencils and pen- holders. ARTICLE XXX. DUTIES OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS. Section 1. No Teacher to he Absent without Excuse. — No teacher shall absent himself or herself from school or institute, without permission of the superintendent. Sec 2. Responsibility of Teachers. — There shall be in each school building one teacher, who shall be styled the principal, who shall exercise, under the direction of the superintendent, a general supervision over the school. All other teachers in any 26 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. school building shall, in all matters relating to the govern- ment, instruction and management of the school, follow the directions and suggestions of the principal. Sec. 3. leachers to acquaint themselves with the Rules of the Board. — All teachers in the public schools are required to acquaint themselves with the rules and regulations ot the board, and the direction of the superintendent, in relation to the management and discipline ot their respective depart- ments, and carry them into full effect. Sec. 4. — Titne and Manner of GoTnmenGing School. They shall report to the prin^^ipai at their respective school houses at least fifteen minutes before the time specified for commen- cing school in the morning, and fifteen minutes in the after- noon, and when directed by the principal shall be present half an hour before the time specified for commencing school in the morning, and open the rooms for the admission of pu- pils, and enforce all the rules of order for school hours. (As amended January 5th 1880,) (The following was adopted Nov. lSth,l878:) Resolved, That the Superintendent be authorized to direct the Principals of the Public Schools to either be present themselves, or to see that at least one teacher be present at each school, half an hour before the time for opening the school in the morning. Sec. 5. Dejportment of Pupils. — It shall be the duty of: all teachers to exercise a carefal supervision over their pupils while in the School rooms and about the School premises, in order to prevent any improper conduct, and report to the Principal the name of any pupil whose influence is such as to injure the reputation ot the school ; and, when deemed neces- sary, extend their supervision over pupils going to and from school. SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 27 Sec. 6. Care of School Premises. — Thej shall take care that the School Building, Furniture, Apparatus, Maps, &c. , in the same, as well as the out l>uildings, fences and other school property, books loaned to indigent pupils and books of reference, be not defaced or injured ; and they shall imme- diately upon the discovery of any injury, report the same to the Principal. Sec. 7. Teachers to give Notice when Absent. — They shall, when obliged, from sickness or other cause, to be absent from school, at any time, give immediate notice thereof to the Superintendent, that, if necessary, he may appoint a substitute ; and any teacher failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be suspended, and tjnly restored by a vote of the Board. Sec. 8. Ventilation and Temperature. — They shall en deavor to secure a uniform temperatuie in their school rooms, and use all proper means to avoid those injurious extremes of heat and cold which result from inattention to this subject. At recess the teacher shall in all cases see that a proper sup- ply of fresh air is admited into the room. Sec. p. Manner of Admitting Pupils to the Several Da- partments. — It shall be the duty of all assistant teachers to re- fer all pupils applying for admission to the principal, tor ex- amination and classification, according to the standard adopt- ed by the board ; and shall, when so classified, if residents of the city, register their names, ages and place of residence. Sec. 10. Teachers'' Institute. — They shall meet at such times and places, out of school hours, as the Superintendent may direct, for the purpose of promoting the interests of Pub- lic School Education in the city. 28 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. Sec, 11. Visit to Parents of Pupils. — It is expected of the teachers, so far as it is consistent with their other duties, that they will endeavor to make themselves acquainted with the parents or guardians of their pupils, in order to receive their aid and co-operation, and the better to understand the characteristics and wants of the children. Sec. 12. Manner of Keeping Records .ond Class Boohs — The teachers in the Grammar and Intermediate schools, and Free Academy, shall keep a daily record of the scholarship, de- portment, and amount of absence and tardiness of each pupil. The scholarship and deportment of each pupil shall be marked on a scale varying from to 5 — a cypher being a failure and 5, perfect ; 4, good ; 3, tolerable ; 2, indifferent : 1, very poor. This record shall be open to the inspec- tion of any Commissioner, or tlie Superintendent, and the pu- pils at all proper time;^ ; and the registers containing the at- tendance and deportment shall^ when filled up, be sent to the officeof the Superintendent. The teachers of the Primary schools or departments are excused from keeping class regis- ters but they shall keep registers showing the attendance of the pupils and their tardiness. Sec. 13. Assistaoit Teachers shall report in full, at the end of each month and term, on the blanks provided, to the Prin- cipal ; and no teacher shall be entitled to compensation in full for services, unless these reports have been fully made. Sec. 14. Sweeping Not to he done in School Hours. — Teachers shall be held responsible for the neat and tidy ap- pearance of their school rooms, and shall not allow them to be swept during school hours. Sec. 15. School Houses to he used only for School Pur- poses. — Ko use whatever shall be made of any school house, SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 29 other than for the legitimate objects of the school, without the consent of the Board. Sec. 16. I^o Subscription Papers to he Circulated. — No Subscription paper shall be circulated in any of the public schools, nor any collection or contribution for any purpose to be taken therein. Sec. 17. Age at which Pupils may he admitted. — Teach- ers shall not admit any pupils to their respective schools who are under 5 or more than 21 years of age, and they shall re- quire parents to furnish satisfactory evidence of the age of chil- dren admitted. Sec. 18. Text Books to he Authorized. — No text book shall be used or introduced by any teacher except those pre- scribed by the Board. Sec. 19. To Report Indigent Pupils. — Teachers having indigent pupils in their departments, not provided with text books, shall report the same to the Principal. Sec. 20. The numher of Days taught to he Certified to. — Each teacher shall be required to give a correct and faithful record, at the end ot each month, to the Finance Committee, of the number of days taught, the number of times punctual, and the amount ot time lost by absence ; and the salary of any teacher failing in this shall be withheld until such certificate shall have been made to the satisfaction of said Committee. Sec. 21. Teachers Visiting Schools. — The teachers in each department may be allowed to visit other departments of the fame grade in the discretion of the Superintendent. (As amended January 5th, 1880.) 30 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. ARTICLE XXXI. DUTIES OF PUPILS. Section 1. Untidy PapHs not to he allowed in Softool — No cuild who comes to school without proper attention having been given to dress or personal appearance shall not be permitted to remain, but shall be sent home to be put in proper order for school. Sec. 2. Ohanqe of Sohool. — Any pupil about to remove to another district shall notify the Principal, and obtain his cer- tificate of transfer, showing his grade of scholarship and de- portment before he shall be admitted to any other public school and teachers are hereby required to reject such appli- cants until they have complied vi^ith the provisions of this sec- tion. Sec. 3. Classification. — All pupiJs shall be classified, on examination, according to their attainments, and enter such division or grade, and pursue the studies in such order as the principals shall direct in conformity with the rules of the Board. Sec. 4. Certifioati of Promotion. — No pupil shall be pro- moted from one grade to another without a certificate of transfer from the superintendent; and after such transfer has been tendered, he shall not be allowed to recite in any class, or take part in any exercise of the grade or division from which he shall have been promoted. gEO_ 5. — Won resident Pupils. No pupil who is a non- resident of the city shall be admitted to any public school except by vote of the board, or by permission of the superin- tendent and a receipt from him, showing that tuition had been paid. (As amended January 5, 1880.) SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 31 Skc. 6. Absentee Rule. — Every scholar in ttie free academy who yhall be absent three half days, in the graimnar or inter- mediate schools six half days, and in the primary schools eight half days, in four consecutiv^e weeks, without an excuse from the parent or guardian, given either in person or by written note, satisfying the teacher that his absence was caused by his own sickness, sickness in the family, or some urgent necessity, shall forfeit his seat in the school; and the teacher shall forth- with notify the parent and the superintendent that the pupil is suspended. No pupil thus suspended shall be restored to the school till the parent or guardian has given satisfactory assurance that the pupil will be punctual in the future, and obtained permission from the superintendent for him to return. Sec. 7. Irregularity and Tardiness. — All puj^ils who are irregular, tardy, indolent or inattentive may be suspended; and all pupils who by reason of irregularity, tardiness, indo- lence or inattention, have fallen behind in their classes, may be placed in the grade or class below. No pupil thus sus- pended shall be restored to the school except under the condi- tion specified in section 6 of this article. (As amended Jan- uary 5, 18S0.) Sec. 8. Pupils required to Report themselves to the Su- perintendent. — Pupils will not be allowed to attend the pub- lic schools, who persist in any course or habits calculated to degrade them, or indulge in course or vulgar language, or who shall conduct himself or herself in an improper manner, or act in any way to render them obnoxious to the public or the school or whose influence is such as to injure the reputation of the school; and any pupil so oftending or acting shall be required to report to the superintendent; and until he has ful- filled this requirement, he shall not be allowed to continue in school. (As amended January 5, 1880.) 32 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. Sec. 9. Written lixcuses. — No pupil shall be permitted to leave school at recess, or at any other time before the close of school, except in case ot sickness or some urgent necessity, or by a written request from the parent or guardian. Sec. 10. Deportment. — All pupils are required to conform to the regulations of the school, and obey promptly all direc- tions of the teacher; to observe good order and propriety of deportment; to be diligent in study, respectful to schoolmates, and to avoid all social intercourse during study hours. Sec. 11. Assembling about the School Building. — Pupils shall not be permitted to assemble about the school builings at an unreasonable time before the comtnenceinent of school or remain after being dismissed. Sec. 12. Suspension of Pupils. — For open diaobedience, improper conduct, insubordination, or any act or thing pro- hibited or disallowed by any of these school reg- ulations the pupil may be suspended by the the principal or expelled by a commissioner or the superintendent, immediate notice of which shall be given to the parent or guardian, and superintendent, and shall only be re-admitted by the superintendent in case of suspension, and by a vote of the board in case of expulsion; and in all cases of expulsion, by a commissioner or the superintendent, due no- tice shall be given to the board at their first meeting there- after. Sec. 13, Penalty for Injuring School Property. — Schol ars who shall be guilty of defacing or injuring any of the school property shall pay in full for all damages; and, in de- fault of which, they shall be suspended from the school, and be re-admitted only by permission of the board. SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 33 Sec, 14. AIL pui?ils to he present at Examination. — Any scholar who shall absent himself or herself from examination without permission of the teacher, or who fails to render suffi- cient excuse for such absence, shall not be allowed to return to school or enter any other public school, without the consent of the superintendent. Sec. 15. Transfers of Pupils, — Any pupil attending any of the public schools shall be required to procure a ticket of transler trom the superintendent, before being received in any other school. No pupil shall be allowed to attend a public school in a district other than that in which he resides,without the permission of the superintendent, and procuring a trans- fer from him therefor, subject, however, to the approval of the commissioner of the ward where such pupils resides. (As amended January 5th, 1880.) ARTICLE XXXII. GENERAL REGULATIONS. Sec. 1. School Year and Vacations. — The school year shall commence on the first Monday of September, and shall consist of forty-three weeks, including holidays and interven- ing days; and these shall be divided into three terms; the fall term shall end on the 24th day of December; and the second, or winter term, shall commence on the second day of January, except that when the second day of January occurs later in the week than Wednesday, then it shall commence on the following Monday, and end on the third Friday in April. The spring or summer term, shall commence on the first Monday in May, and end on the last Friday in June. 34 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. Sec. 2. School ^Examination. — The general visitation and inspection of schools shall occur during the last three weeks of the winter term. Sec 3. Holidays, — The following holidays shall be granted to all the schools : Every Saturday, thanksgiving day, Wash- ington's birthday, Christmas day, New Year's day, and the intervening days between Christmas and New Year's, and fast day by public proclamation. Sec. 4. School Sessions. — The morning session of all the schools shall commence at 9 o'clock and close at 12, The afternoon session shall commence at 1^ o'clock and close at 4 o'clock; provided, however, the committee on organization may, in their discretion, change the time for closing the lower grades. Sec. 6. Night x^cAoo^.— (Repealed Nov. 7th. ^ ^11.) ARTICLE XXXIIL SPECIAL RULES FOR THE FREE ACADEMY. Sec 1. Faculty. — The faculty of the academy shall be composed of a principal, a vice-principal, a preceptress, an assistant preceptress and such assistant teachers as shall from time to time be required. (As amended March 29, 1880.) Sec 2. School Register. — The principal of the academy shall keep a register of the name, age and residence of all pupils attending the same, the time of their entrance, the school (whether public or private) from which they were re- ceived, and also the names of all such as have graduated and received certificates or diplomas, and the standing which they held at the time of leaving school. He shall also keep a list SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 35 of the names of all pupils who have been suspended, dis- missed or expelled from said school, and the reasons therefor. Sec. 3. Management of Academy. — The general manage- ment and discipline of the academy shall be under the control of the principal, and in his absence, or while he is otherwise engaged, the same shall be under the control of the vice- principal. The vice principal shall, under the direction of the principal, have charge of the boys' room, supervise the moving of classes and shall see that good order is maintained through- ouc the building. The preceptress, and in her absence the assistant preceptress, shall, under the direction of the principal, have charge of the girls' room, (As amended March 29, 1880.) Sec. 4. Teacher s' Meeting at Academy. — The teachers of the academy shall meet once a week, at such time as the principal may appoint, for consultation in regard to the in- terests of the school. Sec. 5. Qualificatiion for Adm^ission.. — No ' pupil under fourteen years of age, or who has not passed the regents' examination shall be admitted to the academy. (As amended Ma7 5th, 1879.) Sec. 6. Forfeiture of Seat in the Academy. — Pupils of the academy who vacate their seats four consecutive weeks shall be re-admitted only on the recommendation of the principal, and by a special vote of tne board of education. All pupils admit- ted shall be on probation the first term ; and if, at the end of that or any other terra, they do not hold a fair position in their classes, they shall be withdrawn from school. Sec. Y. Condition of Graduation. — No pupil shall be grad- uated from the academy, unless he or she shall have a regents' 36 SCHOOL KEGULATIONS. certificate, and shall have been a regular attendant, and com- pleted the course of study, and passed a written examination in the different branches. The standard of graduation shall not fall below 75 per cent, on any one branch. The examina- tion shall be conducted under the direction of the committee on tree academy. (As amended Oct. 6, 1879.) Sec. 8. Diplomas. — Students having completed the required course to the satisfaction of the faculty, and having the requisite scholarship, shall receive suitable diplomas, signed by the faculty, the president of the board of education and school superintendent. (Note — Section One was added March 29, 1880, and the number of the other sections changed as follows : i to 2, and 2 to 8 and so on.) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 020 j20 349 4 #