Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1917-05-02
Complications In
School Board
Petition to Continue Commercial
Department
Music to Become Permanent
Part of Curriculum

Complications in the Newark
Board of Education have arisen
from the fact that no voters ap-
peared at the meeting called for
Saturday afternoon, April 28th, for
the purpose of electing three
members to the Board. The names
of only three candidates had been
filed, and the lack of interest was
due to the fact that there was no
contest.
At meeting last Monday even
ing, called for organization, how
ever, it developed that there was
some question as to the status of
the new members. Secretary
Harvey Hoffecker was instructed
to get legal advice before organi-
zation should be effected.
The following petition, signed
by one hundred thirty-three tax
payers, was presented at the
meeting:
Newark, Del, April 3Oth, 1917
To the President and Directors
of the Newark Public Schools
Gentlemen:
We, the undersigned, of the
Newark School District, because of
our interest in the education of the
youth of our community, do petit
ton you to retain in the cur
riculum of the High School the
Commercial Course. We make this
request because of the need Of
such course to fit boys and girls
for the business world, many of
whom would never be able to Sc
cure it, if they were required to
commute daily on the railroad and
pay tuition in neighboring town.
Besides, since some scholars have
no aptitude for the arts and
science course, and hence would be
obliged to drop out of the High
School after the first or second
year, they can, with Commercial
Course open to them, be induced
to remain until graduation, and
thus be better fitted to take up
their life work. We believe that
with the rapid growth of our own
town as we'll as nearby cities there
will be an increased demand for
boys and girls trained for the Of
flee and the counting room. Let us
not force them to go elsewhere,
and with added expense, to obtain
a kind of education which our
school can furnish"
1t is reported that many res
idents wishing to sign the petition
were unable to do so, owing to the
hurried manner in which it was
circulated.
I Mr.. Hoffecker, when interviewed
last night, concerning the petition
said, This matter was thorough
ly discussed year ago, and the
decision made to discontinue the
course. Just why the matter was
not taken up then instead of now
it is rather difficult to understand
No first year class was started il
September, which means that there
will already, if continued as {
course, be a break in the work
Again, since the Newark schoo
has became a twenty unit higt
school, and adopted the State
Board curriculum, it is question
able whether or not the loca
Board has the authority to MAKE
any changes in the curriculum.
Mr.. Hoffecker stated he had per
sonally never opposed the Com
mercial Course; he believes the en-
tire Board wishes only to provide
that which will be of creates
service to the people.
Contrary to rumor, Mr.. Hof
fecker stated, there is no question
of choice between the Commercial
Course and Music in the schools
The splendid showing made b.
Miss Shepardson this year ha
been appreciated by everyone, ant
it is felt this beginning should no
be lost. Mr.. Koehler, the ney
principal, upon his recent visit t.
the school, commented favorabl.
upon this branch of the schoo
work, and urged that it be made
permanent part of the curriculum
The Board has decided to max
this permanent part of the cur
riculum.