Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-02-17
SOUTH AM BUY
SCHOOL BOARD
Discuss Laxity In Present
System Other Matters
snectdi to the EVENING NEWS.


South Amboy, Feb. 17:-At a
meeting of the Board of Education
Saturday evening at the home of A.
l.. Grace, in Stevens avenue, the
secretary read a communication from
the county superintendent stating he
had drawn an order ON the county
collector in favor of the custodian of
school funds for 80 per cent. of the
school tax amounting to $6,588.23,
also $841.65 of the reserve fund for
the school year beginning July l.,
1912. 1t was placed on file.
Communication was also read from
Orlando Perrine, Gust odian of school
funds, advising that he had deposit
ed $4,000 to the credit of the Board
of Education, being balance in full of
city appropriation. President Haines
called attention to the fact that he
thought there was some money COM
ing to the board on account of pre-
MUM on bonds. The matter was re-
ferred TO the chairman of the finance
committee and the secretary was
directed to communicate with the
treasurer.
Applications for position of teach
er were read from e. Mildred Oliver
Of South Amboy; Gladys Crowell, of
Perth Amboy; frankie Davis, Of
Meath, Pa, Janet Hold, of Dumont
The applications were ordered re-
ferred to the teachers committee.
Application of Joseph Duncan, Of
George street, for position of janitor
of School No. 2, was referred to the
committee on buildings.
Communication was read from the
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company ac-
knowleding receipt of remittance
for s71.16 in payment of supplies
and calling attention that there was a
balance due of $3.45 for some appa-
ratus, parts of which the board
claimed were missing. The firm
stated shipment had been made in
good order, but that they were will
ing to adjust the matter satisfactori-
ly.
Committee on teachers reported
engagement of Miss Scully to substi-
tute for Miss Anna Miller for the re-
mainder of the term.
Upon motion of Mr.. Davis the
supervisor was requested to furnish
a report of the number of text books
on hand, the number OF pupils using
the various text books, the surplus or
deficiency
The question of janitors in School
No. 2 was brought up by the com
mittee on buildings and grounds and
discussed at some length. 1t appear
ed to be the consensus of opinion
that two janitors for the one build
ing was ,superfuous and that the
~'rd was not justified in spending
q mn nj for
that character OF work. No one was
prepared to offer solution Of the
problem and it was left in the hands
of the committee on buildings and
grounds, who promised to have some
definite recommendation to make at
the next meeting.
The remainder of the evening was
taken up in an exhaustive discussion
of the general condition of the
schools, particularly as concerns the
course of studies and the system in
vogue. 1t appears the board had a
meeting with the various teachers
about week ago and upon the facts
at that time brought forth placed the
matter before the supervisor in an
endeavor to learn just what the
trouble is. Prof. Fitch admitted the
schools were not up to the standard
he desired. He stated he had been
greatly handicapped in his super
vision by reason of the voluminous
reports required to be prepared by
the county AMI state authorities.
which bad left the administration of
the schools in the hands of the teach
ers to a greater extent than he
thought wise. He stated matters
were now reaching a settled state
where he would be able to give more
attention to the work of supervision.
He stated he had noticed somewhat
of decline in the standard of the
schools for the past three years. but
had been powerless to remedy It,
Notwithstanding he had made regu-
lar reports monthly to the Board Of
Education setting forth the exact
conditions. He also stated some of
the trouble is due to certain teach
ers who are not up to standard: that
he had reported this condition Of
affairs TO the Nd Board Of Educa ton
but without any action being taken.
The discussion seemed to develoD
a laxity in the system that did not
insure we'll connectei arrangement
OF studies for pnpi|s passing from
one grade to a higher grade; also
that some difficulty was experienced
in having a number of conditioned
pupils In grades too high for their
cspacfty: and some trouble from
what might be termed deficient
pupils in certain lines of work. No
action was taken In the matter but
1t is sail the intention of the board is
to thresh the matter out as promptly
as possible and put the whole system
on a comprehensive basis.
At the conclusion of the meeting
Mr Grace served a verv nice lunch
con to the members Of the board.