ERRATA. Page 131, line 12.-The old boiler in the Sixth District House was sold to Ernst Passe for $60, and he died before removing it. March 7, 1881.-The Committees on Normal School and Teachers' Institute, and on Ungraded Schools, were continued as Local Trustees, and should be included in the list on page 169 and not on page 167. Report of the President. SECTION 4,059, of the Revised Statutes, directs that "the Board of Education of each city district of the first class shall prepare and publish annually, a report of the condition and administration of the schools under its charge." In accordance with the requirements of this section, there is herein presented the 52d Annual Report, for the year ending August 31, 1881. It is well that at the end of each year we sum up carefully its work, compare the condition of our Public Schools with what they have been in the past, and take our bearings for the future. A twelvemonth is so short a time, that within its limits we may be able to discover but little advance or retrogression; and yet, brief as is that period, our schools must either have advanced or retrograded since the publication of the last Annual Report. Studies are now pursued concerning which little was known a quarter of a century ago. Our methods of teaching are now very different from those formerly in use, and many things are demanded at the present day that it would have been impracticable to do at an earlier date. So, too, the day will soon come when our Public Schools will as far surpass those of the present, as our system now surpasses that taught in the old log-house a score or two years ago. As stated in my last report, teaching is, and should be, a profession. Justly has it been styled the "new profession.” Fewer men and women, than ever before, teach now merely to earn a livelihood. TEACHERS' TENURE OF OFFICE. The present system of electing teachers annually has been condemned in certain quarters. It is claimed that there is an uncertainty of reappointment which distracts the attention of the teacher from his duties, and impairs his interest in what should be a life-work. But it is proven by each annual election that the really meritorious teacher is practically certain of reappointment. The present law prohibits the election of a teacher for a longer period than three years, and results show that the custom of annual elections is a wise one. Our teachers have really an indefinitely extended tenure of office, and the fear as to reappointment is confined almost exclusively to the incompetent. So strong has become the custom of reappointing all old teachers, that it is usually very difficult to secure the dismissal of even a poor teacher; hence, the improbability of doing injustice to a good one. For this, if for no other reason, too great care can not be exercised in the original selection of those to whom is confided the education of our youth. Under the present arrangement, it is made the duty of the local trustees, appointed for each district, to nominate its teachers; and it is customary for the Board to confirm all such nominations. Since the Board, as a whole, can not be expected to have as much knowledge of the affairs of each district as does the local committee, it is better that the nominations should, as a rule, be confirmed. system is not to be commended; and there should be a But the COMMITTEE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS, Which would, in a great measure, lift the subject above the level of local favoritism and partisanship. Besides, such a committee, judiciously selected, would, in the nature of affairs, be better adapted to its special purpose than any committee of local trustees, who are never appointed for this particular object; but, rather, for the purpose of attending to the general interests of the school. As a body, our teachers have served faithfully; and to their efficiency is due, in a great measure, the high character of our schools. They have labored zealously; and, though not paid too much for their services, they are, nevertheless, well paid. It is true that our school system is not perfect. Since, in all legislation, many conflicting interests have to be reconciled, it is therefore ་ |