SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION The quarterly meeting of the School Committees’ Association of Otago was held last night. Mr G. S. Warwick (president) was in the chair. FURNISHINGS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. On behalf of the executive Mr J. D. Clyde moved— “ That this association protests against the policy of the Otago Education Board of asking committees to pay part cost of furnishings and the maintenance of school buildings and grounds.” Mr Clyde said that the association had it on the word of the secretary of the Minister of Education that Otago was the only district in which such a policy was effective. The committee which he represented had had to bear part of the cost of painting m the school.

Another speaker declared that the policy was a relic of the old Provincial Council days in Otago. If the committees had refused to pay the system could not have survived. Mr H. IT. Johnston said that the board had only a certain amount of money to spend, and if committees wanted more work than the board was able to afford they would have to pay for it.

Mr D. C. Cameron, a member of the Otago Education Board, said that the only furnishings towards the cost or which committees were asked to contribute were single tables and chairs. The department would provide dual desks free of cost, but they were not nearly so suitable as the single tables. The board bad not asked any committee to contribute towards the cost of painting for two years. He added that the position with regard to grounds was now altered. The committees’ capitation had been increased by 50 per cent., and 10 per cent, of the total amount must bo spent on grounds. The maintenance grant of the board had also been increased by 60 per cent., and whereas it bad been necessary to starve schools for two or three years more could now be spent. The secretary (Mr R. S. Vercoo) pointed out that the Otago Board had assisted committees with respect to the cost of fuel and wat?r. This had not been done by any other board. The chairman (Mr .1. Wallace) stated that in Otago the committees bad been “ on velvet ” in respect of grounds in comparison with committees in other parts. He pointed out, however, that boards were not permitted to spend more than 5 per cent, of their maintenance grants on the upkeep of school grounds. After further discussion the motion was altered to eliminate any sugges-

tion of a protest and to ask the board ot give consideration to its policy. The motion was carried. WIRELESS INSTALLATIONS. The following motion submitted by the executive was carried:—-“ That the Otago Education Board be asked to cooperate with school committees in an endeavour to establish a fund to be used exclusively for the purpose of purchasing, maintaining, and installing wireless sets in schools, allocation of grants to be made having regard to the measure of local interest manifested.” GENERAL. A letter was received from the Ravensbourne Committee suggesting that Mr G. Crosbio be elected a life member of the association. Mr Crosbie had served for 35 years on the school committees of. the district.—The proposal, which had the strong endorsement of the executive, was referred to the next annual meeting. Mr Clyde was appointed the representative of the association on the executive of the health stamp campaign.

The Ravensbourne Committee forwarded a remit urging the establishment of “ child guidance clinics ” in connection with primary schools. It was explained that the work of the clinics would be to advise the parents with respect to the careers of the children and to assist backward children.— The proposal was referred to the executive, which was asked to submit a report to the next quarterly meeting. The secretary (Air Vercoc) was asked to accept, on behalf of bis wife, a crystal electric table lamp. It was explained by the chairman that Mr Vercoe had refused to accept any reward for Ids services during the past year, and the presentation was made in acknowledgment of the sacrifice on Mrs Vercoe’s part that his position as secretary involved.