The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-12-18

for consideration. Yet it was agreed
that the advance had been for good
and not otherwise.
Mr.. Evan introduced Maurice r
Massey as the speaker of the day
Mr.. Massey is member of the Bever
ly City Board of Education. His SUBJ
ject was POLICY of Boards of Educa.
tion." He spoke from observations
made in studying the educational
problem in various places, as he has
taken sufficient interest in the matter
to look over schools in different parts
of the county. He said he believed in
careful, economical management OF
schools, but he did not want his re.
marks to be construed that he favored
stinginess. There was vast differ.
ence in the two ideas. A Board oil
Education could be careful, conserva-
tive and economical without being
stingy. 1t could inquire into the needs
of school and see that they were Civ
en- attention so that pupils would not
suffer from lack of material with which
to do the work required of them. The
stingy body would do exactly the OBJ
posite. To carry out the ideas of the
speaker meant to keep careful eve on
member, the man who is careful in his
conduct OF the schools, acts the
same as he would if he were q director
or manager in big corporation. The
people are the stockholders and the
Boards of Education are the directors
who must look after the business de-
tails. There was one point that Mr..
Massey dwelt upon and while he did
not place it under the head Of ''stingi-
ness" he did say that he considered it
poor business management. That was
the engaging Of teachers merely be-
cause they were to be secured at a low
price regardless OF results. The care
full man would vote for teacher at $50
month if she were efficient, rather
than waste $40 month on one who
was simply cheap.
He did not speak very favorably on
appointive Boards of Education. He
felt they were dismal failure. He
recalled an instance where O good
business man was taken from a Board
because he had opposed the Mayor of a
city and was succeeded by a man not
his equal simply because the latter
was one Of the Mayors lieutenants.
He thought small Boards an advan-
tage and that they should not consist
of more than five members. Women
should be on every Board, but he fav-
ored keeping them in the minority.
He also considered it a mistake to
heve more than one member on any
Speaking on the subject
of supervising principals he said the
first thing to do was to pay good sal
airy for such man, then impress upon
him that he was the "real thing"
that upon him depended the success or
failure of the schools under his charge.
Armed with authority and with that
idea the supervisor would land some
where. He should have absolute au-
thority in selection of teachers as his
qualifications ought to put him in a
position to secure more knowledge
about the applicant than could be Sc
cured by committee in any inquiry.
There should be joint meetings of
the Board of Education and teachers
possibly weekly. Then the
latter would have chance to see their
when they otherwise might
not even know them if they met them
on the street. 1t would give the teach
ers a chance to state any grievances
COL vi 6uRROOOQ OA4ClC O6 u
general exchange of ideas and opinions.
Idle gossip or talk against teachers
should be frowned upon and at once
stopped. Too many teachers are 1t
in wrong position because a pupil
goes home with a tale of woe and is
upheld by the parent while the teach
or is perhaps not given the chance to
make proper explanation. Educa-
tional work should have publicity and
reports of the actions at meetings of
the Boards of Education should be
handed to the newspapers in the neigh
borhood. Mr.. Massey said he was
firm believer in the compulsory educa-
ton law. If a law is a good one it
should be obeyed; if not good it should
be repealed. He also commended the
law requiring medical inspector to
be appointed.
Mr.. Massey's remarks were warmly
applauded and it was the sense of the
meeting that the address was the best
and most practical that had been de-
livered in a long time. far excelling
many that had been given by
speakers who had been paid for their
efforts, while Mr.. Massey gave his talk
without cost to the assertion. He
was rendered vote of thanks and was
asked to put his talk in shape for pub
LEGATION that it might be read by all in
terested in education. 1t will appear
later and copy will be furnished to
the members Of every local Board in
the county and to the teachers.
/. Edward Harrison rendered q report
on the meeting of the State Board of
Federation. He said that nothing of
great Importance was done. The ten
ure Of Office for teachers was discussed
and another effort will be made to
have the term extended from three
years to five years.
Professor George G. Baker, super
vising principal OF the Moorestown
schools, was called upon. He said he
did not think there was ANYTHING to
be commended more than the work of
Boards of Education, composed as thew
are Of men who are willing to give up
a part of their time from business in
order that schools may receive atten-
ton, The success of the present war
depends upon education. There will
be need for trained heads after the war
is over and the school children Of today
must be fitted to take their part in the
try schools are good places to develop
genius. They are places where boys
and girls get together and learn some
thing, but they do not get education
and 80 per cent. of the students do not
develop genius. He believed thorough
ly in consolidation of schools. People
may hate to see the beloved country
school" abolished, the country boy
may be proud of the place of his birth,
but il he wants a high school educa-
ton he should be given every oppor-
tunity to secure it. The people Of Bur
lington county should stand behind
the County Superintendent in his ef-
forts to secure consolidation. Once de-
cided upon there would never be any
call to go back to the old sy lem.
At the close of Professor Bakers re-
marks resolution was adopted that
the Burlington County Board of Edu-
cation heartily endorse the effort of
Superintendent Kayser to consolidate
schools.
There was general discussion of the
subjects touched upon by the two
speakers and also upon many matters
that interest the schools. While the
meeting was small it was one of the
most instructive sessions that has ever
been held and it was great pity that
there were not more present to enjoy
the intellectual feast that was spread.
1t was thought it would be a good
idea to have teachers present at the
next meeting and that proposition was
left to the County Superintendent.
Election of officers reulted as follows
President, Harry b. Coles, Moores.
town; vice president, DR.. NJ w. New.
comb, Pemberton; secretary, /. Ed
ward Harrison, Wrightstown; treasur.
er, Joseph c. Kingdom, Mount Holly
executive committee, Maurice B. Mas
sey, Beverly; ]. Howard Burr, Penn,
ton; Samuel A. Wilson, Cosswicks.
CHRISTMAS GREETING CARDS