Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1896-05-13
SHALL PLEASANTv|L[E
HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL? +?
Important meetin9 of the
Board Of Education,
The MEMBERS IN FAVOR OF A new SCHOOL.
A PUBLIC MEETING CALLED FOR THURSDAY
EVENING MAY 14-TO DISCUSS THE CUES
TION. ADDRESSES MADE BEFORE THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION BY MEMBERS.

One OF the most important meetings of
the present Board of Education was held
at the Pleasantville school-house on
Tuesday evening May 5th. 1t was the
regular monthly meeting of the Board,
and was called to order by the chairman
Mr.. Charles Nelson After the minutes
of the previous meeting had been read
and approved, the following bills were
received and ordered paid Minos Allen,
janitor $40; Scott Long, janitor $40;
Elmer Ireland 50; Lake & Risley, S13.S3.
Nine applications were received and read
from persons desiring to teach the
several schools, after which Japhet Price
introduced lengthy code of rules pro-
viding for reorganization of thepresent
school system and the establishing of a
High School. He did not, be said, intro
duce them for immediate action, but for
careful consideration and discussion, and
their adoption later on if they suited the
Board. He thought the time had come
when we must get out Of the old ruts,
and advocated a High School to be
located at the Pleasantville Schoolhouse,
and to be under the management of a
Supervising Principal who should have
the oversight and direction of all the
schools in the Borough. The main thing
was to get the school. The details
could be arranged afterward. Mr.. Price
spoke earnestly in favor of the project
and believed that the people were also in
favor of it.
Isaac Andrews thought Pleasantville
was entitled to better schools and that
we ought to take advantage of the new
laws and reorganize them upon differ
ent basis. A High School would, he
believed, be an advantage in every way.
Charles Nelson was in favor of a High
School, but was afraid the smaller
children would be neg ected or put under
the instruction of cheaper teachers.
Webster Price forcibly advocated the
proposed school and believed it would be
of great advantage.
Elwood Adams believed in having a
High School, but though it would be
advisable to call public meeting of the
citizens and get their opinion before tex
ing action.
Japhet Price thought the law gave the
Board sufficient power to 60 ahead, but
was willing to wait and see what the
citizens thought about it.
On motion of Webster Price, Mr. G. III.
Jenness, editor of the Pleasantyille Press
was invited to address the Board, which
he did at considerable length. He
thought Peasantvlle was entitled to as
good schools as other places, and that
the children here, especially those who
were not able to attend outside schools.
should have every advantage thet we
can possibly give them. THE conditions
of getting living are changed and
changing, and our schools and course OF
study must be changed to meet them.
We need more of a practical education.
He believed that High School would be
a lasting benefit. 1t would give the ad-
vanced pupils chance to pursue the
higher branches, and at the same time
the primary and intermediate pupils
could have more attention paid to them.
He protested against the employment
Of cheap and incompetent teachers. His
long experience as teacher and superin-
tendent, elsewhere, had taught him that
''the best is the cheapest. He did not
think that anybody was paid too much,
but thought the teachers salaries ought
to be more nearly equalized. Only the
very best teachers should be employed in
the primary schools. 1t was poor
economy and waste of time and money
to employ a "cheap" teacher merely
because she could be hired for a few
dollars less per month. Why do we pay
big fees to lawyers and doctors and all
classes of professional men? Because
they know their business-because they
are capable of doing exactly what we
pay them to do. 1t should be the same
with teachers In conclusion he ex-
pressed hope that Pleasantville would
soon have High School and that be
| might have said something that would
| aid in that direction.
The Board then voted to adjourn to
Thursday evening May IA, at 7.30 P. NJ.
and also to request all interested citizens
| to meet and further discuss the subject.
Bill Knew Them.
Bill Nye is dead. His finest legacy is:
ga man may use wart on the back of
his neck for a collar button ride on the
| back coach of railroad train to save
interest on his money until the conduc-
tor comes around; stop his watch
nights to save wear and tear; leave his
Il and It without dot or a cross to
save ink; pasture his mothers grave to
save corn; but man of this kind is a
| gentleman and a scholar compared to