Mexborough & Swinton Times, June 16, 1906

Conisboro’ Education Committee.
‘Mexborough’s Unjustifiable Impertinence.’
Strong Remarks By Indignant Members.
Conisboro’ Schools Under-staffed.

That the Conisboro’ schools are under-staffed is true, but as far as the Conisboro’ Education Authority are concerned, no responsibility rests on their shoulders. According to the Chairman’s statement, this committee have done the best service possible in the circumstances, teachers having resigned, and the vacancies being difficult to fill. In reply to an advertisement which appeared in the local papers only one application was received.

The above explanation was brought about through the action of certain members at the Mexboro’ Education Committee’s meeting on Wednesday night, when Mr. Cliff and Mr. Brumpton spoke of the under-staffing of the Conisboro’ Schools, of which a report will be found in another column.

At the meeting held at Conisboro’ on Thursday in the Conisboro’ Station Road Schools, Mr. Brocklesby made some strong remarks on the matter. The members present at the meeting were Messrs W. J. Ward, W. Wilson, F. Ogley, W. W. Norwood, J. Brocklesby in the chair, with the divisional clerk, Mr. W. R. Hudson, in attendance.

The minutes of the last meeting were read, confirmed, and passed.

After a few matters of little importance, Mr. Brocklesby brought up the matter regarding what members of the Mexboro’ Education Committee had said concerning the under-staffing of their schools. He said that first of all, the Mexboro’ Committee had no right to interfere with a committee, who were quite capable of conducting their own affairs, and that he took Mr. Cliff’s remarks as a very great insult.

Mr. WILSON: I suppose the Mexboro’ Schools are perfect?

Mr. WARD: It appears so.

Mr. BROCKLESBY went on to say that he thought it was ‘monstrously unjustifiable, and a piece of impertinence.’

Mr. NORWOOD contended that if they were not capable of carrying on their affairs they would be turned out and somebody else put in.

Mr. BROCKLESBY said the way the Mexboro’ Committee had got hold of the news was simple. It appeared that a Mr. Brumpton, an insurance agent, went to the schools to do business, probably insurance, and one of the teachers had told him that they were under-staffed. Thus he had conveyed the news to Mr. Cliff, the result being the remarks made at the Mexboro’ meeting. He thought the whole thing ought to go in front of the authorities at Wakefield, and he suggested they should pass a resolution to that effect. He read a report, from one of the papers, and he said in the report they had omitted to state the head mistress in question had the help of two pupil teachers. In conclusion, he said he took it seriously, and he hoped they would deal with it as it ought to be dealt with.

Mr. WILSON asked whether persons were allowed to visit the schools during schools hours.

After further discussion the matter was left in the hands of the Divisional Clerk, in conjunction with the chairman, to draft a resolution to be brought up at the next meeting, and if satisfactory to be forwarded to the authority at Wakefield for them to give their decision.

A resolution was proposed by Mr. WILSON, and seconded by Mr. WARD, that the head teachers be advised to discourage visits of people on business and private matters during school hours. – It was unanimously carried.

Overcrowding.

Overcrowding in the Conisboro’ schools is prevalent, and the committee decided to leave the matter as to a temporary school in the hands of the Wakefield authorities. The most advantageous offer were: Wesleyan school, £45 per year, exclusive of cleaning: Church school, £1 for 44 weeks of the year, or £60 including cleaning, etc.

 

Labour Certificates.

Fourteen labour certificates had been granted during the month.