Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-07-27

the abolishing of Barnes School History
of the U. S., and Barnes Elementary
History of the U. s. and putting in
their place Montgomery American His
tory. Also the abolishing of Minis Pro-
gressive Arithmetic and substitution of
Wentworth & Smith arithmetic. The
report was submitted by Messrs. Suit
lift and Oliver.
Supervisor Fitch took the floor and
stated before any change of this char
acter was made all the teachers should
be consulted. This change will cost
5000 at least and 1 have only asked for
about three dozen histories which will
be about $4,000. To change the arith-
metics will necessitate an-expense of
between three and four hundred dol
lars. The textbooks supplies which |
have e~ndeavored to keep down will
run up nearly 5000. The teachers have
not been consulted. The Wentworth &
Smith arithmetics are very weak. The
present books are good boks and have
only been in use about three years. If
the board are going to supply the tools
they will be responsible for success
and not the teachers and supervising
principal. 1 object to this change in
textbooks and I wish it so noted. Mr.
Davis also thought the teachers should
have been consulted about the change.
Mr.. Oliver replied: ct do not con-
slider we are doing any injustice to the
teachers. The Board of Education will
put in whatever they deem advisable
for the school and if the teachers can
not teach, then we will proceed to get
teachers who can. Wentworth & Smith
arithmetic is published by one Of the
greatest mathematieians in the world
who was sent from America to Europe
to represent America at that time. As
far as l can see Wentworth G. Smith is
superior and 1 have consulted with
principals and other schools and find
this is used in a larger majority than
any other. The Barnes history is one
Of the Oldest dated histories in ex-
i~stence today. The Montgomery is one
we had a little argument about last
winter when Mr.. Buckelew requested
this book, and I asked thre teachers in
the city of South Amboy, had them
privately examine theh istory we are
now using in the school, never told
them what 1 wanted to know and all
came out very emphatic and recon-
mended the Montgomery and I find it
is used more in Middlesex county than
any other book
Mr.. Sutliff explained the book COM
panies would take back any new books
and allow a percentage on old booas
so he could not understand where the
great expense would be in making the
change. Mr.. Oliver claimed he had
figured it out and the expense would be
about $50. The matter was finally laid
over for two weeks to permit of a lit
tie further investigation.
It was moved that when the meeting
adjourn it be to meet August 8.
Upon motion of Mr.. Oliver the Commit
tee on Teachers were directed to have
q definite report relative to Miss Ever
lit and Supervisor Fitch at the adj
iourned meeting on August 9.
Architects Dayton & Smith brought
up the question of dismantling the
steam boiler in school No. 2 as it was
interfering with their work. The con
tract for repairing school No. | IN,
Guided removing the boiler in No. 2
but as the contract for No. ] IS held
in allegiance for the present time some
other arrangements are necessary to re-
move the boiler. The matter was left
in the hands Of the Committee on
Buildings with power to arrange Tor
the removal of the boiler in school
No 9.