CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1931, Page 2

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The Canterbury Education Board met at Christchurch on Friday morning, present Messrs W. A. Banks (chairman), R. Wild, J. W, Preen, G. W. Armitage, C. S. Thompson, J. G. Gow, S. R. Evison, W. Johnson, J. J. Hurley, S. Smith, W. P. Spencer, and H. J. Bignell.

On the recommendation of the Buildings Committee, it was decided to authorise the conversion of a shelter shed into a class room at the Hokitika School,

The Appointments Committee reported that letters had been received from teachers regarding the 10 per cent re Ruction in house allowance, and it; had been decided that tlie Board could not grant relief. Correspondence was received from the Department and the Greymouth committee regarding the transfer of Std.. VI pupils to the Tcchniseal School.

It was resolved that, in view of pending staff changes at the primary school and of the fact that accommodation had been provided at the Technical School, the neccesary arrangements should be made for the transfer of the pupils. The Education Department advised that, at the present tibie; tliefe Was little possibility Of & gfaht beilig, made foi‘ flletal-wdi'k class accommodation fit Hokitika. The letter stated further that, when the question of the appointment of a metal-work instructor eventually arose, the Board should consult the Principal of.the Greymouth Technical School with a view to utilising thu services of e specialist teacher from that, school.

Appointments confirmed included:--Doehert.v’s Creek, Miss J. L. Memmott, solo teacher. Marsden, Miss F. Brown, sole.teaclier.

Okarito, Miss J. M. Hussey, sole teacher.

Weheka, Miss M. E. Cameron, solo teacher,

Resignations accepted included . Greymouth, Miss M. Bignell, Wallis Siding,.;Miss J. M. Milne The report for the year ended December 31, 1930, states. that while the Board was in the happy position of being able to report that the funds whichi.it could administer with comparatively wide discretion Were in a good position, it was noted that the general fund had..been called upon to support increasingly the following special, accounts by the contributions mentioned: —Conveyance of pupils (£1196 11s 2cl), committees’ incidental expenses (£3BO 17s 3d) and buildings maintenance (£250). The board did not begrudge this- 'support as long as funds were available, but it was obvious that such assistance could; not be granted indefinitely alitl must certainly be curtailed if revenue was in any way reduced. married women teachers. The .Appointments Committee reported that correspondence had been received from the Department in explanation of the effect, of recent legislation on married whmen teachers. It was resolved ■ that the Board, should adopt, the following policy:— (1) Married women now in positions. —Not to be disturbed.

- (2) Married teachers under bond.— Cannot be disturbed or rejected until expiry of bond, when they must lesign. (3) Now employed and seeking promotion.—Not to be. considered, except in special circumstances. . (4) In employment, but whose position has disappeared.—Engagement must terminate, unless under special circumstances.

. (5) Unemployed and seeking position ■=_;Not 'to be considered, except in special circumstances. .; (6) Single women who subsequently marry--—To- resign.; appropriate, by-law to be adopted.

THE BOARD’S POWERS. Mr S. R; Evison said the Act gave the Board power to refuse to re-appoint but not to dismiss-teachers, Mr C. S. Thompson said clause one was not quite fair. The Board should secure a list of the married, women now in the service together with their circumstances. Cases, in which man and wi e were teachng ; in a- school should be.’dealt with.-. .' Mr R. Wild said legal advice should be .obtained, as to whether'the Board had' power to dismiss a teacher. Mr, H. J ; Bignell said the teacher had the right of appeal. Mr W. P. Spencer moved that all the "married women teachers should be dismissed and reappointed. They could be'given three months’ notice, he said, and if they were in distressed circumstances the Board could reappoint them.

WHOLESALE DISMISSALS CONDEMNED. Mr Thompson said wholesale dismissals'would result in chaos. The teachers should he called upon to show why they should not be dismissed. Mr Bignell said if a teacher could show hardship she would not he asked to retire. Mr G. W. Armitage said the Act gave the Board power to refuse to employ married women. Mr Thompson moved an amendment that all married women in the service should be called upon in two months to show cause why their engagements should not be terminated. Mr Bignell asked liow the Board could analyse cases of hardship. Mr Thompson’s amendment was carried.