The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-01-21
County Board of Education

SOuuty DOdl VI vi EQuSdtlOu
The annual meeting of the Burling
ton County Board of Education wa.
held in the First Baptist Church, Bur
lington, Saturday. Perhaps the
threatening weather was the cause o
many remaining at home, for the at
tendance was not at all what it ought
to have been. Of 35 school districts, Il
were represented, and out of member
ship of over 300 only 40 attended and
some of that number were the super.
vising principals of the schools. Not.
withstaading the meeting was held in
the city of Burlington not single
member of the Board of Education of
hat place was in attendance.
Those who were present had an en-
joyable time. County Superintendent
kaser was the first speaker and he
told of conditions in the county. He
thought interest might be awakened
in the meeting if some extra entertain
ment was provided. He suggested an
old fashioned spelling bee with cash
prizes for the successful contestants.
He would have this in connection with
some of the county gatherings and the
executive committee was instructed to
consult Mr.. Kaiser on the project.
Fred w. Maroney, State Director of
Physical Training, gave an interesting
talk on the way in which to improve
the condition of pupils in our schools.
Fresh air and plenty of it instead of
stuffy heat from hot air furnaces or
stoves was suggested. Give the pupils
physical training but do not allow
them to forget that they are child
rem. Teach them to play, childish
games for the younger ones, base ball,
foot ball, basket ball and other athlet-
les for those of more mature age. He
spoke for over an hour and his talk
was full OF good advice and suggestions
Mrs. Frantz, of Moorestown, was the
next speaker. She is at the head of
the Home and School Association and
she told of the efforts being made by
this organization for the betterment
Of the school children of the county.
Luncheon was provided by the ladies
Of the church and it was heartily en-
Dyed by those who partook of it.
The after-dinner speaker was former
Governor Edward Caspar Stokes, who
gave one his interesting talks on the
subject of education He said he was
not entirely in sympathy with many
II the duties imposed upon the pupils
If today, not because they we're not
necessary but more from the fact that
hey were being overdone. He ex-
PRESSED his disbelief in the idea
hat child should be coaxed to obey.
lie held to the old opinion that obedi-
nee should be compelled. He cited
he recent war as an instance. Every
nan who went into the army was
aught that when an order was given
must be obeyed. A young man who
eft the bank of which the former
Governor is president walked into the
uilding. recently and in relating his
Experience and his ideas said one of
ne best things he had learned was to
bey. His attention was called to the
ict that when he was in the bank he
lther resented being told what to do
ut the young man said all such ideas
ad been taken out of him and he now
new what an order meant.
The members of the local boards who
ere present were asked to tell where
lere had been any improvement in
)nditions in their localities and
neither further advances might be
lade. The general impression pre-
allied that salaries are too low and
lat if good teachers are to be engaged
nd to be kept they must be paid more
loney. The tenure of office law was
$50 criticised and the opinion was that
lere should be some modification in
lat statute.
The election of officers resulted as
flows: President, Henry b. Coles, {
loorestown; vice president, Dr. M. w. =
ewcomb, Browns Mills; secretary, l.
dward Harrison, Chesterfield. treas
re, Joseph c. Kingdom, Mount Holly;
tecutive committee, Nathaniel r. {
wan, Southampton; Benjamin Nj. I
Iaines, Mount Laurel; Frank l.. Dur
in, Palmyra.