The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-06-11
PATRONS And BOARD.
No Defnite Action Taken at the
School Conference.

had a conference at the High school
building Saturday afternoon. The
conference opened about 1870 o'clock
and lasted something over four hours.
About twelve. to fifteen parents OF the
boys and girIsof the graduating class
o. H. S. '03 were present, together
with the members of the board. None
of the graduates were present. Two
ladies and gentleman not patrons
were present at the opening of the
meeting. The conference resulted
Denehcially, perhaps, for both mem
bers Of the board and the parents who
were present. 1t is pretty generally
understood that the school board will
no. enforce their resolution to annul
the diplomas awarded to the gradual
ing class, but on the other hand the
action of the board may not be re-
scinded. 1t is likely that concessions
will be made by both the board and
the members of the class. The class
may make public some sort OF de-
claration, apology or statement, and
this may be followed by statement
OF the board of education. This is
about the outcome of the meeting,
There is another meeting to be held
Tuesday evening and definite action
may be taken at that time.
The details of the Saturday melting
between the parents and the school
board are interesting. 1t is said that
some of the taIk S came direct from
the shoulder and that matters were
not minced A number of the parents
made excellent talks, addressed to the
board, and some Of the things said
should be matter of record.
It was agreed between parents and
board that the proceedings OF the
meeting together with all details
should be considered of a private ma
ture and that nothing should be given
out for the public knowledge or for
publication. The press was refused
admittance at the meeting.
The class of '03 enrolls the names
of forty-two graduates. Less than
half of the graduates were represent
ed at the meeting by those who an
swered the notice that wa sent to
parents and guardians by the board to
appear and show cause why the diplo-
ma issued should not be annulled and
revoked. A number of the parents
present expressed their surprise and
dispIeasure at the mandatory nature
of the notice received. One Of the
parents stated that she had been inV1t-
ed to meetings of school boards upon
previous occasions, but considered as
a patron of the public schools, this
was the first time in her experience
that she had ever been commanded to
appear. Explanation of the terms
used in the notice was made by
member of the board.
The conference opened with the
board in secret session in the boards
Office room. The parents had thought
that the meeting was to be in the as
sembly hall and had gathered there.
The meeting was called for one o.
clock and the parents, wondering at
the delay, as the board did not appear
after considerable time had elapsed,
sent one of Ineir number to ascertain
the cause of the wait. One of the
board was absent but his appearance
at this moment set the ball in motion.
At the opening of the meeting 1t ap-
pears that the parents and board were
clearly arrayed against each other
| 1t seems that the intention OF the
board had been to call in the parents
one by one, examine them concerning
certain points and act accordingly.
| 1t was ordered that one of the first OF
| the parents to appear at the meeting
about one o'clock should be sent down
! to the board first. One of the parents
| of the graduates was standing near
and heard the remark. He came for
ward so it is said, and expressed him
| self to the effect that he understood
| this was to be a conference between
| the parents and the board, that an un-
derstanding might be arrived at. If
| the meeting was to be considered in
the nature of court trial, objection
must be taken and would be made by
almost all Of those present.
1t was also stated to the board that
if the return of the diplomas was the
object of the meeting, that two-thirds,
and maybe mere, Of the parents OF
the graduates stood ready and willing
to hand over the 'sheepskins." A
member of the board had announced
that so far as the board was concerned
they were practically n unit in the ac-
ton that they should take in regard
to the resolution. Another counciled
time and deliberation and the end OF
the matter was that the parents and
the board got together in a general
conference. It seems that an agree
ment was made that the discussion
| should be restricted to certain lines
The agreement was followed. Mem
! bers Of the faculty and their acts were
| left almost entirely out of the debates
and personality entered very little in
| to the thoughts expressed during the
afternoon.
! AS the meeting opened some one OF
, the board expressed desire that one
nf ~ lo1 -