EDUCATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 90, 24 June 1946, Page 5

EDUCATION

WHAKATANE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Whakatane School Committee took place in the school last Wednesday evening - , a full attendance of members being present. Before commencing the business of the meeting, the Chairman, Mr J. W. Wilson, referred to a resolution passed at the previous meeting ,in which it was decided, in accordance with the powers of the committee, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr T. C. Johnston, who had left the district. They had, he said been successful in securing the services of Mr J. H. Duthie, of the Public Trust Department. In filling the vacancy, he added; they had been concerned wholly with finding someone both willing to and capable of filling the position of Secretary which had fallen vacant. A resolution was passed confirming the appointment of Mr Duthie. Finance With regard to the financial position of the committee, the chairman reported that the Board had seen fit to make a grant towards the. firing bill of £SO which, with care, should see the committee over the period till the next quarterly grant was due. Accounts totalling £lO 9s 3d were passed for payment. Reporting on further communication with the Board, the chairman said that a request had been forwarded for an additional house to be built on land which had been approved for purchase, and which already had one house upon it. He had, however, received a telegram from the owner to the effect that the house and land had been bought by another purchaser, and therefore was off the market. Later, he had learnt that it was a member of the school teaching staff who had bought the place, and he was rather surprised that one in such a position should put his own interests before those of the school and the committee.

Expenditure

Following the passing for payment of the accounts, the chairman mentioned that there was inevitably a certain amount of monthly expenditure which must be met, but there were certain items which could be avoided. With regard to the resolution passed at the previous meeting that all purchases should be authorised by the committee, he felt that this should be amended so that orders for the ordinary 'bread and butter' articles could be signed by the Headmaster. The Headmaster intimated that this would be entirely satisfactory, and that he had always endeavoured not to request any more than was absolutely necessary. It was decided to purchase certain tools for the use of the caretaker at a cost of not more than £lO. Headmaster's Report

The Headmaster's report showed the roll numbers of the various schools to be as follows: Infant—--211; Middle—329; High School—l 62. Total 702. In addition, the Ohope side school had commenced with a roll number of 41 pupils.

Reporting on the last meeting of tne Parent-Teacher Association, the chairman stated that the committee's proposal to appoint a movable representation was not agreed to as members of the Association felt that unless the same three committee representatives attended each meeting, continuity of the proceedings would be lost. Three permanent representatives in the persons of the Chairman, Secretary and Mr. Whittaker were appointed as requested.