Milford chronicle., 1907-06-21
The Sussex County Institute.

Inc DuSocA NOuutg AAStAAutSs
Over a year ago, movement was instr
tuted by the School Board of Milford to
place the schools of this town under the
control ofthe Kent county officials. Ever
since the consolidation of the town schools,
the schools have been under the joint
supervision of the officials of Kent and
Sussex counties, although the State school
funds for this district had been deposited
in the Georgetown Bank. To the schools
themselves, it is a matter of Indifference
who exercises control. The superinten-
dents license teachers but aside from that
no official authority is exercised.
Finally, after various efforts, the Board
succeeded last fall in having the State
funds transferred TO Dover; and this
s7ring, passed a resolution requiring all
teachers to be licensed by the Kent county
superintendent, and heaved a sigh Of relief
that they had accomplished their purpose.
What is the consequence Of this act,
which has been taken without valid reason
or excuse? 1t means the loss to the town
of the Sussex County Teachers Institute.
No superintendent, in the face of the com
petition that there is for the gathering,
could afford to take it to what is Kent
county school district.
Milford raises nearly $4,000 for school
purposes. This is more than half the
amount raised in rural Sussex county.
The educational spirit of our town is
shown too, by the fact that the celinquen-
cies on this great sum in four years, are
less than the delinquencies on school
taxes in one year in another Sussex town
of 1900 inhabitants, which raises only
$500 for school purposes. Milford has
also bonded itself for nearly $4,000 for
school purposes. Its advance in other
educational lines has been very rapid.
This splendid progress is not accidental.
For years the Sussex County Teachers
Institute has been meeting in Milford.
Held in the Armory, its exercises have
always been attended by great crowds OF
our people 1t has been the leaven that
has leavened the whole loaf educationally
It's educational and cultural influence has
been appreciated by our people, and its
local support and interest has constantly
increasd.
This has not been the only advantage
to our community. Our teachers have
been able to attend institute in their own
town. Our merchants, hotels and board
ing houses have received a sum approx
mating $4,000 annually from the visiting
teachers. What a splendid advertisement
for our merchants and town it has been
Attended as it is by representative people
from each little district in Sussex. In
Georgetown, the stores are offering to pay
the railroad fares of prospective customers.
In the West, the merchants pay all travel
ing expenses for similar excursions. Los
Angeles merchants raised a fund OF
$4,000 to defray the expenses Of the
meeting of the National Educational As
sociation held there.
Why should our School Board unrea-
sonably sacrifice this splendid advantage
What a poor return the School Board
is making to the people that support its
work so literally. When the Sussex
county superintendent personally ap
peared before them, and urged this phase
of the matter, certain memhers sneered al
the welfare OF the merchants, and others
and were willing to sacrifice the other ad
vantages. 1t is high time the people o
the town, whose ser,a ants these gentlemen
are, should take a hand in the matter.
J. d. B.