Conisbro’ School Board – Attendance Officer’s Salary – Irate Parent

March 1898

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 05 March 1898

Conisbro’ School Board.

The monthly meeting of the above board was held Thursday evening. Mr. Dufton presiding. There were also present Messrs. Stacey, Tennant, and Marsh.

The Clerk reported that three applications had been received in response to an advertisement for an assistant teacher for the Conisbro’ School, but two had withdrawn, leaving only one, which was Miss F. L. Ashworth, of Mexboro’.

The appointment was given to Miss Ashworth.

Miss Cave wrote resigning her situation under the board, owing to ill-health.

Mr. Marsh moved, and Mr. Stacey seconded, that the Clerk be instructed to write to Mr. White, asking him to press on with the plans of the new schools, and that a special meeting be called to consider them as soon they were ready.

Mr. Pagdin in accordance with notice of motion, proceeded to move that another member be elected to  fill the vacant seat caused by removal the Rev. G. H. Slock from the district. He moved that Mr. W. W. Norwood be elected.

The resolution was carried.

An Irate Parent

A Mrs. Wilson attended before the Board, and demanded the reason of her boy being put down from the fourth to the first standard.

Mr. Smith, the master of the school, who was present, said that a letter which he had forwarded to Mrs. Wilson’s husband would explain the matter.-

The Clerk read the letter in which it was stated that he (Mr. Smith) would keep the boy in the first standard until he altered his stupid ways. The lad had been told to do certain acts by the teacher, but absolutely refused, and the headmaster caned him, giving him one stroke on the hand.

When the lad decided to obey the master he would be put into his proper standard.

Mr. Smith had asked him if his father was at home, and he refused to answer.

Mrs. Wilson said the lad could not answer for coughing.

Mr. Smith said that only the other day the father of the lad had been to his school and told him (the speaker) that he had told the lad to run out of school every time he was caned.

Mr. Pagdin thought Mr. Smith had acted with great discretion. The lad was open to punishment, but Mr. Smith had taken his ill-health into consideration and simply put him down.

Mrs. Wilson: If he obeys the master will he be put back into the fourth standard?

The Chairman: Yes, certainly.

Attendance Officer’s Salary

The next business was the question of the application of the attendance officer, Mr. Sargentson for an increase in salary. At the last meeting he had been asked to prepare report of the increase in his work since his last increase.

The officer said the number of scholars at the Denaby Main Mixed School 1896 was 620. the present lime the number was 824. increase of 204. In the infants department the number of children in 1896 was 284. The number at the present time was 400, an increase of 116. At the Conjsbro’ Schools there had been an increase of 35, all in the girl’s school. The total increase was 355. He said he could not do the work unless the Board gave him something extra, and he produced statistics from neighbouring hoards.

Mr. Tennant said there was question to the increase work, and there should be an increase of remuneration.

Mr. Pagdin said they had the question before them for some time. The work had materially increased, and there should some payment. They were satisfied with the way Mr. Sargcatson discharged his duties. The percentage had been raised, and the duties had been much heavier.

He moved that for the present the salary be raised from £33. 5s. to per £45 per annum, and that the bonus given be discontinued.

Mr. Tennant seconded the resolution which was carried.