Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-10-12
SCHOOL BOARDS IMPOSED UPON


A School Director of Morris town.
ship asks the following questions;
HAS School Board any means Of
redress when teacher positively com
mits himself to teach certain school,
signs the article of agreement, and
upon the eve of the opening Of the
school declines to meet his obligation
because he has been offered position
probably more desirable2
ais such a teacher, void of honor and
lacking in principle, worthy of license
upon which you, as Superintendent
certify that he is person OF sound,
moral character "
The aggrieved School Director has
certainly brought to the surface q mat
ter that is deserving of more than u
passing notice. We have more than
once been surprised at the weakness
OF some teachers in matters involving
high sense Of honor and integrity.
Our advice to teachers has always
been to look after the best position and
endeavor to secure it. After choice
has been made and an agreement be.
tween teacher and directors fixed,
either orally or in writing, then the
teacher is bound to an obligation, the
breaking of which is not honorable,
and not so considered in any depart
mept of business. For instance Mr..
A. comes before Board of Directors
and applies for a school at time per.
haps when said Board has half.dozen
competent applicants to select from.
Mr. A. having good personal appear
anco and u good certificate, is chosen
aud accepts the position with thanks.
One month is TO elapso before the
school opens. Within one week OF the
time OF opening Mr.. A. notifies the
Board that he has accepted another
position at SO more q month and believes
he will not teach their school. Where
are the competent applicants that
were set aside to accommodate honor
able Mr.. Al They have gone else
where and received employment and
now nothing remains TO be done but to
select some inferior remnant, and the
result is signal failure Of that school
and the peoples moneywasted. Further
comment in this direction seems un-
necessary. We are sorry to say that
some who should be leaders in all things
intended to dignity and strengthen our
Common School work engage in this
deceptious practice, and have been the
means of great deal of Embarrassment
to School Boardsin securing competent
teachers. We had intended to publish
the names of those who the present
year have disrcgarded their contract,
but refrain, from the fact that ii might
hinder them from getting employment
again, as the most ignorant Schoc
Board would not desire to contract
with one whom they knew would
break the contract for fifty cents more
, q month.
The schools that have suffered this
year from this illegal business are as
; follows Lumber City High school,
, Kylertown school, West Goshen Har-
, mony school, one in Beccaria and two
in Chest. The Secretary of Chest in.
I forms us that the ladies who played
! ! him the "slip' insisted that the article
Of agreement should be drawn up the
. day of the letting, which was done,
5 and in less than two days they went
to another township, secured schools,
signed article number 2 and went on
, their way rejoicing, not even notifying
|. tho Board Of Chest that they were
1 dishonest enough TO break an honest
r contract As they are to teach their
first term they need not bo surprised
J, If this breach OF integrity prevents
!, them from teaching another. We ebav'
J, spoken plainly, but believe Il our duty
10 do So