contingent. in observance upon the convenience .or caprice of the Board or its committees; and although there may be little danger of future Boards publicly eliminating from the records manifestly wise provisions essential to honest and proper methods, yet the same result may be reached by disregarding them in practice. This has occurred in the past and it is not unreasonable to anticipate it in the future. A system once adopted by the Board should be rigidly enforced, as well with reference to the Board and its committees as with the officers. In considering the best means of accomplishing the desired results, as also of correcting the defects still existing and noted in this report, the committee is drawn to an unqualified indorsement of the recommendation of the former committee, looking to the establishment of an “Auditor for the St. Louis Public Schools." Such an executive officer elected by the people at large, under heavy bond, possessing suitable powers without interfering with those of the Board, and charged with the duties as suggested, in detail, by the former committee, would supply what in the opinion of this committee is necessary to render permanent and effective any good system of management. It is unnecessary to go further into details, as the subject has been so clearly and thoroughly presented by the former committee. ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. The committee would recommend that similar examinations be made annually, and that the committee be appointed just before the close of the fiscal year, in order to witness the closing of the books and accounts and settlements of officers, and thus secure an earlier report upon the matters under investigation. APPENDIX. In this form is presented the statement of receipts and expenditures during the period under examination, and the condition of the several funds at its close, as taken from the books of the secretary. IN CONCLUSION, The committee desires to acknowledge and return thanks for cheerful assistance and uniform courtesy extended by all the officers and members of the Board with whom it has been brought in contact during the progress of the investigation. Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. LIGHTNER, Chairman. Examining Committee. 5 APPENDIX. RECEIPTS AND EXPENITURES, AS FROM THE BOOKS OF THE SECRETARY. 1 Totals. RECEIPTS August 1, '79, August 1, '80, to July 31, '80 to July 31, '81 From all Sources from August 1, 1879, to July (both inclu- (both inclu31, 1881 (both inclusive). sive). sive). Aug. 1, 1879, Aug. 1, 1880, 1881. Totals. For all purposes from August 1, 1879, to July 31, 1881 (both inclusive). For Bonds paid. Interest paid. tion of School Buildings. 81,587 85 9,873 63 22,900 00 594,410 95 56,938 65 13,031 79 23,586 71 3, 132 50 5,477 61 5,565 02 12,904 97 33,323 11 5,881 45 29 25 1,501 92 1,430 26 9,532 94 5,500 00 13,508 00 53 28 2,015 60 23,036 25 585,456 95 56,319 60 8,504 01 24,314 90 3,543 73 5,257 92 5,196 27 15,999 67 37,986 13 6,072 95 29 25 1,731 42 1,531 77 10,465 50 800 00 11,000 00 49 60 7,893 00 81,587 85 11,889 23 45,936 25 1,179,867 90 113,258 25 21,535 80 47,901 61 6,676 23 10,735 53 10,761 29 28,904 64 71,309 24 11,954 40 58 50 3,233 34 2,962 03 19,998 44 6,300 00 24,508 00 102 88 Totals... 965, 200 99 873,264 52 1,838, 465 51 $369 39 RECAPITULATION, $1,001,960 86 1,019,347 87 -$2,021,308 73 965,200 99 873,264 52 1,838,465 51 182.843 22 183,212 61 Balance on hand as shown by Cash Book. * Permanent Fund.. *These balances would be changed if the recommendations contained in committee's report were adopted and acted upon. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Public School Library Report of the Superintendent (pp. 33 to 204) School Statistics-Population of the City School Buildings-Comparative Table. Value of School Property Number of Teachers... Enrollment and Attendance Kindergarten Enrollment Cost of Instruction. Number of Days Attended. Ages of Pupils Occupation of Parents Birthplaces of Pupils. Classification by Grades of Advancement in Studies. Gerinan-English Instruction Enrollment, Attendance, and Cost of Instruction. Number of Salaries Paid.... Schedule of Salaries--By Rank. Normal School.. Number of Unassigned Teachers Residents and Non-Residents Order on Unassigned List.. Appointments from List. Policy of the Board in Selecting Teachers Report of the Principal High School... Report of the Principal T 24 24 25 25 26 27 27 28 28 29 31 33 36 36 37 40 43 44 45 46 48 50 52 53 57 58 60 61 62 62 63 63 63 64 65 83 86 |