1915-05-07uu

“The harmony which usually characterizes the meetings of the internal management committee of the board of education was marred somewhat last evening. The occasion was the appointment of a principal for the new Earl Kitchener school. “

Hamilton Spectator.    May 7, 1915.

The large new school on Dundurn street south was nearing completion and set to open in the fall, so it was time to appoint a principal for the new school.

The topic was first on the agenda for the meeting of the Hamilton Board of Education’s internal management committee held on May 6, 1915.

The choosing of the person to fill the position of the first principal for Earl Kitchener proved to be very contentious with a heated debate between the supporters of Mr. Martin Kerr and those in favour of the appointment of Miss Hilda Savage. Miss Savage was principal of the Charlton Avenue school, which was about to be closed with the opening of Earl Kitchener School. Mr. Kerr was principal of the King Edward school.

Inspectors Ballard and Gill had recommended to the committee that Mr. Kerr be selected. While usually such recommendations would be accepted without much debate, such was not the case in this matter:

“Trustee J. Orr Callaghan was the first to oppose the appointment of Mr. Kerr : ‘Miss Savage is one of the best and most capable teachers we have in the city,’ he said, ‘and I had hoped she would receive the appointment. Of course, I will bow to the recommendation of the inspectors, but nevertheless, I think she should get the position.’

“Trustee Ward – ‘It looks to me as though there was some injustice here. I understand that Mr. Kerr was promised this position over a year ago.’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘And I have heard the same thing.’

“Trustee Armstrong – ‘I see no good reason why Miss Savage should not get this appointment.’

“Chairman Dr. Carr – ‘Do you think a woman teacher is capable of being principal of this big school?’

“Trustee Armstrong – ‘Yes, sir, I do.’

“Trustee George R. Allan (to Chairman Carr – ‘Are all your men principals capable as acting as such in schools like the Earl Kitchener?’

“Trustee Armstrong (to Chairman Carr) – ‘Does the recommendation of the inspectors imply that Miss Savage is not qualified for this position?’

“C. G. Booker, Chairman of the Board of Education – ‘That question is very unfair to the inspectors. Their recommendation carries no such inference.’

“Chairman Carr – ‘There is no use in wasting time discussing this matter further. At a recent meeting of this committee the question was referred to the inspectors to deal with on the basis of the best qualified applicants for the position, Miss Savage being included in this list. The best way to settle this matter is to put it to a vote and stop needless argument.’

“Trustee Hobson – ‘It would be unfair for me to vote on this. I am personally acquainted with Miss Savage, and Mr. Kerr, I would not know if I met him. Mr. Kerr may have the very best qualifications and he may not. I presume the inspectors are acquainted with both applicants, and they are therefore in the best position to say who should be engaged.’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘Well, I stand in a different relation to these teachers than Mr. Hobson. I know both of the applicants. Miss Savage is now a school principal, and a most successful one, and has done excellent work in the ward where she has been engaged for many years. Here is a chance for her to receive deserved promotion. Are you going to stultify her ambitions and set her back, that the question?’

“Chairman Carr – ‘There is no intention of setting Miss Savage back. We intend to give her a ten or twelve room school in some part of the city, probably from which Mr. Kerr comes.

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘I am informed that Mr. Kerr was promised this school before the foundations were in.’

“Trustee Booker – ‘Are you sure of that, Mr. Callaghan?’

“Trustee Callaghan – ‘Yes, I’m sure, otherwise I would not make this statement. The fact is, Mr. Kerr told me as much himself.’

“Trustee George R. Allan – ‘I think it would be a good idea to give Miss Savage a trial appointment for one year. If she does not make good, a change can be made. If she is qualified to be principal of a ten or twelve school, as Dr. Car says, she is qualified to take charge of a twenty-room school such as the Earl Kitchener.’

“Trustee Booker – ‘That wouldn’t be fair at all.’

“Trustee Allan (gingerly) – ‘Oh, what do you know about it?’ ”¹

¹ “Principal Named for New School”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 7, 1915.

At this point, Inspector Gill abruptly interjected himself into the discussion and claimed that Mr. Kerr had not been promised the position as the first principal. He did say that he indicated to Mr. Kerr that he would be recommended for the job when the new school in the west end was opened. No guarantee was given as to the decision of the committee charged with the task of choosing the principal.

Much further wrangling ensued, in which a recommendation was made by Trustee Callaghan, seconded by Trustee Ward, that Miss Savage be appointed as principal of the Earl Kitchener School. When the vote was put to the committee, the result was a two-two tie, giving the chair of the committee the task of breaking the tie with his vote. He voted to reject Miss Savage’s application and accept the recommendation of the inspectors that Mr. Kerr’s application be deemed as the successful one.

The formal announcement as to the choice of Mr. Kerr as first principal of the new Earl Kitchener school came on May 13, 1915. Kerr’s appointment caused a shake up among the principals in the city.

Miss Savage was appointed as principal of the Caroline street school, while J. H. Tigert, who had been principal of that school, was transferred to the new Robert Land school on Wentworth street north. R. K. Morrell principal of the Cannon street school was tapped to take over Mr. Kerr’s position at the King Edward school. Thus the Cannon street school was left without a principal in place, so the positions was to be advertised and applications accepted as soon as possible.