Rushden School Managers

The first meeting of the new local Education Committee for Rushden was held on Tuesday night at the Alfred-street schools, the managers present being Messrs. J. T. Colson, A. Mantle, J. Noble, J. Claridge, B. Vorley, W. H. Wilkins, W. B. Sanders, W. Chettle, and F. Corby, with Mr. W. W. James (Deputy Clerk).

Election of Chairman

The Deputy-Clerk took the chair during the election of a chairman.

Mr. Wilkinson proposed that Mr. Colson be the chairman of the Committee. He thought, bearing in mind the number of years Mr. Colson had served on the School Board and the work he had done, that it was only right he should be their first chairman.

Mr. Mantle seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mr. Colson, in taking the chair, thanked the managers for his election and said he supposed his election was due to the interest he had taken in the work. Although their powers would be somewhat restricted under the new Act, he was sure they would all do what they could to maintain the standard of education of the children of the town.

Miscellaneous

A formal intimation of the election of the managers was read and a circular was received from the County Education Committee giving preliminary instructions with regard to the payment of teachers’ salaries and school expenses.

On the motion of Mr. Claridge it was resolved that four members of the committee form a quorum, and it was further resolved that the ordinary meetings of the committee be held on the third Tuesday in each month at 7 p.m.

The School Staff

The Chairman said that until that course was adopted by some County Committees there were great complaints as to the delays caused.

Miss Botterill, one of the teachers, having resigned her position, it was resolved to ask the County Education Committee to advertise for a successor and to give the Rushden Committee the power to make an appointment.

Mr. Wilkins remarked that this course was being followed in a large number of cases, and unless they had the power to accept an application they would never get any teachers.

A similar resolution was passed with regard to a vacancy at North End Infants’ School.

Coal and Coke Supply

The question of the supply of coal and coke was considered and there appeared to be some doubt as to whether the committee could definitely make a contract but eventually it was decided to invite tenders as before and let the County Committee know what was being done.

The Press

Mr. J. Claridge proposed that the Press be admitted to the meetings of the Managers and the motion was unanimously carried.

The Chairman asked whether there would be anything for the papers to report.

Mr. Wilkins: Oh, perhaps we can find them a bit of “copy” after a bit.

Credit Good

The Deputy-Clerk reported that the amount to be handed over to the County Council from the late School Board was £143 3s. 7d. on the school account and £576 1s. 3d. on the loan account. Grants to be received would bring up the credit of the Board to nearly £2,000.