The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-04-10
Random Remarks.


There seems to be disposition on
the part Of many parents to ignore the
law which requires children to attend
school. Besides depriying the children
of the education they are entitled to,
the habit Of keeping pupils out Of
school loses the township SO much pei
day, as the apportionment Of money
is made on the days attendance. This
law does not interfere however, with
the power of boards OF education to
suspend or expel pupils for dis
obedience or unruly conduct. In this
township there is a trhant officer who
has bean very efficient in having the
law obeyed, yet there are parents who
ignore the statute and put the officer to
a heap Of trouble. An instance OF this
kind has recently come to mind where
q boy was sent home because of I'M
ruly conduct and his father was asked
to see the principal and have the mat
ter talked over. The father seemed to
think that it was the duty of the prin-
cipal to call on him and, singularly,
this position was strengthened by the
ideas Of one Of the Board of Educa-
ton. At the last meeting of the
Board. however, this condition was
materially changed, and it was plainly
shown that the principal has other
duties besides running to see every
parent who has grievance. The
action Of Judge Lippincott in the mat
ter of parents not living up to the law
will probably have a wholesome effect
all over the county.
At meeting Of the State Board Of
Education, Saturday, DR.. J. J. Savitz
was appointed to succeed DR.. James M.
Green, principal OF the State Normal
school, who has resigned owing to poor
health. DR.. Savitz is now principal of
the schools at Westfield. Two years
ago he was assistant Commissioner Of
Education. His appointment to be
the head Of the state schools is one of
the best that could have been made.
At the same meeting report was rem
dered by the committee appointed to
inquire into the attitude of J. Frank
lin Rush, supervising principal OF the
Gloucester schools. The point in ques-
ton was the rejection of the applica-
ton Of lady who desired to be
teacher in one of the schools under
Mr.. Rush. She was offered the position
at &45 per month, but was also told
that Roman Catholics were not want
ed, SO the lady did not accept. The
State Board decided that the action OF
Rush would not be tolerated,
and he consequently apologized for his
conduct.
Present indications are that the gym
nasium in the high school building
will soon be equipped. The money for
this purpose will be raised almost, if
not entirely, by public contributions.
and the only proviso in the matter is
that the public is to be given the use
Of the gymnasium. on certain occasions
under the supervision of some Of the
school authorities. Strange to say.
there appears to be opposition on the
part Of at least one member Of the
Board OF Education, who is afraid the
public may have too many privileges.
This same member is said to be favor
able to fitting up the auditorium as
school room and abandoning it as a
public meeting place. OF all the nom
sensical ideas this is about the limit.
The auditorium is the most useful
room in the town. Its value for hold
ing public functions is becoming more
recognized every day and as it was
built by public funds, by the vote Of
those who pay taxes, it is no more
than right that the public should have
the use Of it. To destroy it's useful
ness by converting portion of it into
a schoolroom would be something that
would be deserving the most severe
criticism.