|
Page 136 THE FIRST SCHOOL
BOARD
Of course the patrons of the schools of the new Borough
could not get along with the teachers and we find on the 25th of
November, 1881, a complaint was made against one of the teachers on
two grounds, viz: drunkenness and cruelty to the children, but after
investigation the Board decided that there was no ground for these
complaints.
However, the teacher had apparently used rather a large
rod and he was cautioned "against the use of any instrument of
punishment other than a switch." A very interesting item happened on
December 13, 1881. A contract for furnishing coal and wood had been
let to James Hine. Mr. Hine stated that he couldn't fulfill his
contract at the price bid and the Board let the contract to Thomas
J. Foster for coal at 9 cents per bushel and kindling wood at $1.00
per load. Coal at that time meant lump coal, not run-of-mine.
In January 1882, apparently there was a smallpox scare
and the Board passed a resolution to notify all the pupils that they
"must be vaccinated within ten days of notice given them. On failure
to comply with this order they will be suspended from school for
such time as the Board may determine, and thepublic safety require."
A resolution of this character at the present day would send joy
into the hearts of the pupils and no doubt there would be "nothing
doing" in the schools until the smallpox scare was over. In the same
meeting the Board purchased lot No. 47 of DuBois Plan from J. M.
Raught for a High School building. On the 17th of January some more
trouble had arisen between the teacher of school No. 8 and the owner
of the building. Evidently Mr. Haas still thought he had a right to
run the school.
In March, 1882, the School Board had secured a plan for
a central school building from John Burling, a local architect, who
was to receive $35.00 for the plans when the work was completed. On
March 14th the Board met to investigate these plans, but neglected
to have fire in the school room and had to adjourn. However, this
did not deter either the architect or the School Board, for on the
25th of March they again met. At this meeting the Board decided to
erect a new school house and asked for bids.
On the 23rd. of March, 1882, bids were offered as
follows: John Burling, $10,800; Walter Hatten, $11,400 ; and John
DuBois, $11,175. Mr. DuBois stated in his bid that lumber of a grade
cheaper than No. I could be used for sheeting purposes and which
would materially reduce his bid. The result of this was that no bids
were accepted and owing to the fact that the building had to be
completed by October, 1882, the time was too short.
On the 5th of June, 1882, the Secretary offered a
report showing that the taxes collected for the year were $2,602.83
and there was still uncollected $1,142 and at this time all bills
against the School District had been paid. The present School Board
might take notice.
|
