SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1913, 10 December 1918, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

A special meeting of the local State School Committee was held last night, convened for the purpose of accepting two resignations and tilling such vacancies, and general. There were present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman). Rev. J. 11. Bredin, Claris, Ingle, Martin, Perron u and Signal.

Correspondence was received from the Board Secretary in reply, stating that the plans for the new school were forwarded to the Education Department on Saturday last. The ei’ection of the new building was a matter of urgency, as the temporary buildings used as class‘rooms would he unsuitable during tho hot weather. It was resolved to again communicate with tho Board on (he subject. Letters were received from Messrs Kellow and M.cMnrvay tendering their resignations from the Committee as a protest against the purchase of a piano of German manufacture for school use. "lie resignations were received, and committeemen referred to Hie action of the two members as childish and uncalled for. Their protest could have been registered, and their services continued for the welfare of the school. The Chairman explained the method of Idling the vacancies, and it was unanimously decided lo appoint Messrs F. Woods and Baildon, two eondidates next on the list at the householders’ meeting, to till the vacancies. A letter was read from the head teacher, convoying a resolution of protest from the staff against the Committee’s action in re purchase of piano, and desiring to be consulted re furnishing and equipping the new school. The Chairman outlined the duties of .Committee as laid down in (he Act, and also the head teacher’s responsibilities. He said the head master was a capable teacher, hut as this was his (irst appointment Ids recent actions were possibly due to inexperience. It was unfortunate that he should seek to set (lie Mall’ iu opposition to the Committee, and the regulations precluded him from discussing school mailers in the public press. In the past Commit lees had never failed to confer with the staff in reference to school requirements, and the head teacher’s demand that the stall; he, consulted re furnishing the school was bordering on impertinence. No committee would refuse this. Possibly the head teacher was suffering from a seeming indignity in nol being allowed to voice his opinions at the last meeting, and came to the conclusion that the staff was to be ignored in future. As to the action of tho Committee being antagonistic to the sentiment of the staff, which he claimed could not he embodied in the teaching, (lie Chairman said the statement was somewhat vague, and could ho left for future consideration should the necessity arise. Mr Martin said the letter from the head teacher was a piece of presumption. The Committee was responsible to the people who elected them for their actions, not lo the head teacher. Tho Commiltee had nothing to fear by its action, which had’ the hacking of every broadminded person in the community. He objected to the head teacher stirring up animosity in the community. He suggested that the Committee should demand (he head teaehov's attendance and explanation. The Committee's action did not concern him or his staff in any shape or form, and he objected to the head teacher's dictatorial attitude.

Mr Signal said it would be better to treat the whole matter with the contempt it deserved. Air Perreau agreed, and said hat the head teacher was a young man, and possibly his action was due to inexperience, and that the matter should be dropped.

After further discussion, the Chairman was authorised to reply to the letter.

On the motion of Messrs Signal and Ingle, it was decided to substitute the name of Mr Claris for that of Air Kellow as trustee of the school fund account lodged in the post office savings hank. A small account was passed for payment, and the meeting rose.