Conisborough School Board

April 1897

Mexborough & Swinton Times, April 9, 1897

Conisborough School Board

In addition to the report in our last week’s issue, the following business was transacted on Thursday week.

The cases in which the board decided to prosecute for irregular attendance were C. Morton, Baxter, T. Davidson (Wraiths, 2) Marston, O’Brien, Machin, Clark, Grundy, and J. McHale, the attendance officer stating that in the latter case the parent said he would not send his child neither for one board nor another.

Mr Pagdin: I am in favour of following such like cases up, as we might as well be without an attendance office unless we back him up in his work.

Cheques were signed for J. Padgin (school account) £116; J. W. Sargentson. Salary, etc £8 10s 9d.

A circular letter was read from Mr Bernard Shaw asking the board for an expression of their opinion on the question of grants to Board schools, as the government were drafting a bill to assist necessitious Board schools, the matter required immediate attention so as to receive the government considerations.

Mr Pagdin: we are told that the bill is to be introduced, and pass this session if there is time after the Voluntary schools Bill has passed, and having regard to the heavy burdens borne by the ratepayers in connection with the school board rate. I will move the following resolution: “that this board is of opinion that in any legalisation giving further aid from the factors of elementary education, all school boards having charge of elementary schools should receive a further grant of 5s per child, and should also, like voluntary schools, be exempt from rating,” and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M. P., and to Mr Fison, M.P. for the division, and that a petition to the same effect signed by the chairman on behalf of the board be forwarded to Mr Fison for presentation in the House of Commons, and further – that Mr Fison be asked to give his utmost support to such a measure both by his vote by representations to the ministry.”

Mr Marsh: You would have it to apply to all Board schools will ever necessitous or not?

Mr Pagdin: Yes, serve all alike.

Mr Marsh: The new bill will be for necessitous schools only.

Mr Walker: Perhaps the chairman will tell us what is a necessitous school?

Mr Dufton: You see if we get a resolution like that passed in the House of Commons we should be all right.

Mr Pagdin: We may not be what is generally understood by a necessitious school, but we are going to extend, and the rates will be very heavy.

Mr Dufton: The bill just passed is “for all” voluntary schools!

Mr Marsh: You asked for it to apply to “all” Board schools. Which is only fair, and I will support it heartily.

Mr Walker: is there need for any hurry in this matter? – Mr Marsh: yes, it’s nearly a month since the letter was received.

The Clerk: The bill is not yet before the House of Commons.

Mr Walker: If you are going to increase taxes to ease the rates it will make no difference to me. As I have both to pay. The money has to be found from somewhere, but I don’t see any reason to oppose the proposition.

Mr Marsh seconded the proposition, and it was carried unanimously.