USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > An Educational History Of The School District of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 1666 - 1933 > Part 10
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dollars and to lease the same to the Board for five years with the privilege of re- leasing it at an annual rental of $150; the schoolhouse to have sufficient grounds around it and to be known as the Weber School. " -- 1
The offer was unanimously accepted.
The janitorial problem was much different in those times although but thirty-five years have elapsed. Con- sider the following:
"Moved and carried that twenty dollars ($20) a year be allowed to the teachers of Nos. 3, Rahway Neck; 4 Washington School, later Six Roads; 5 Locust Grove; and 6 Iselin #6, to pay for keeping the schoolhouses clean and that forty dollars ($40) a year be allowed to No. 7 school (Fords) for the same pur- pose and the janitor of No. 8 school (Keas- bey) to get fifty dollars ($50) per year for his services. " -- 2
John Ohmenhiser, janitor of No. 1, was receiving $50.00 per month.
About this time, the Board gave up the annual trans- portation of all textbooks from the outside schools to School No. 1 for storage purposes for the summer and the redistribution of them in the fall and substituted
"closets made with locks built in each of the schoolhouses for the purpose of keep- ing the textbooks in during vacation. " -- 3
A motion was also carried "to provide places for ty- ing horses at No. 7 school. "
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
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Something had occurred relating to the "Weber School" proposition, for at the August meeting a motion was passed directing that the contract with Adam Weber be revoked if advisable. Later reports from the committee appointed in this matter, led to the acceptance of an offer from ur. Keasbey of the R. H. & P. Brick Company to build an addi- tion to the Weber school.
The minutes show that coal for the schools was being supplied at prices varying from $5.10 per ton to $6.25 per ton, according to the distance it had to be carted. Lo- cust Grove School called for four tons at the latter price. Roads in those days were not as they are today and had to be reckoned with when bidding.
On November 29, 1897:
"On motion the Board decided to erect a two-storey brick schoolhouse at Keas- bey, New Jersey. " -- 1
committee was then appointed to visit Keasbey to A ascertain if they could secure a lot for the proposed school. Woodbridge Fire Company, No. 1, was authorized to call up- on the janitor of No. 1 School to ring the schoolhouse bell in case of any fire that might occur. The fire laddies had been experimenting with the rim of a large steel wheel and with a small bell, but they were dismal failures, hence the
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
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request to the Board for the big school bell.
On December 6, the special committee on the Keasbey school site, reported that the R. H. & P. Brick Company offered to donate a site for a school at the corner of Crows Mill Road and to lay out a new street.
The Board accepted the offer with certain minor pro- visions and directed that Mr. Adam Weber be notified of their intention to erect a school building at Keasbey at public expense and not lease any building from private parties.
On March 3, 1898, the Keasbey schoolhouse committee reported that a two-story brick school could be erected and completed for $6500 including furniture and heating apparatus. The report was adopted and the following re- solution arried:
"That the Board of Education be authorized to exchange the present lot now owned by the said Board near Weber's factory, for a lot on which to build a schoolhouse, situated on the easterly side of Crows Mill Road, having a frontage of 150 feet on sald road and 150 feet in depth, and within six hundred feet of present schoolhouse, said lot to be conveyed to said Board by the Raritan Hollow and Porous Brick Company, etc. " -- 1
The resolution also authorized the erection of the school at a cost not to exceed $6000 and bonds to be issued
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
الخطا
Sch. 1. 1905
175 A
Corner of ola Bicycle Your - Sch . 1 .
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for $6500 to include the furnishings.
At the Annual Meeting, March 15, the following appro- priations appeared on the ballot and were carried:
"Current. Expenses of the Schools $7500 Repairs to School Buildings .. 1000
Textbook, Apparatus and Pupils' Supplies. 900
Total $9400 -- 1
So many pupils were riding to school on bicycles, that, at the request of Principal John H. Love, School No. 1, the Board ordered that a place be built for the proper stor- age and care of them. This was done and the old "bicycle room" was fitted up with holders. Many "grown-ups" will remember this convenience.
Soon afterwards, the Board, on resolution, decided to open a school in New Dover, and Miss Anna Cheeseman was appointed teacher at a salary of $400 per year.
At the September meeting, the Board arranged to open a room:
"in the Canda Brick building for a school room at a rental of $10.00 per month for the purpose of extending No. 2 school. (Carteret) . " -- 2
In 1899, as an expression of their appreciation of the interest of the Raritan Hollow and Porous Brick Company in the Keasbey school, the following resolution was passed by
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
2 Ibid.
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the Board on January 23:
"The Board of Education of Woodbridge Town- ship feel that the Raritan Hollow and Por- ous Brick Company of Keasbey have taken a most unusual interest in the schoolhouse just erected there. The material help given in the way of land, brick, and other things has enabled us to erect a much more roomy and substantial building than would otherwise have been the case. We wish, on behalf of ourselves as representatives of the Township, and of all friends of Publio Schools, and school children to ex- press our hearty thanks and appreciation for what they have done in this case, and we hope that not only may they never have cause to regret what they have done for the children, but that all may see that it is a good investment. " -- 1
In 1899, the Sewaren Land and Improvement Company approached the Board with a proposition regarding a lot for a school, and at the same meeting the proposition was supported by the people of Port Reading who petitioned the Board for a school building, which resulted in the appoint- ment of a committee to select a suitable lot and report to the Board.
At the annual meeting, March 20, the voters were called upon to ballot on a resolution authorizing the school Trus- tees to accept a plot of land containing a number of lots on which to build a schoolhouse situated on the southwest corner of School Street and Cottage Avenue, Port Reading,
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
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said lot to be conveyed to said Board by the Sewaren Land and Improvement Company.
The Board of Education was also authorized to erect a schoolhouse to be built of brick at a cost not to exceed $5000, including furnishings.
At the organization meeting of the Board, March 28, Mr. E. C. Ensign was elected District Clerk, and has held the office without a break since that time.
The plot of land voted for at the annual meeting did not meet with the approval of the Board and at a special meeting of the voters held June 8, the location of the new school to be erected at Port Reading was slightly changed, making 200 feet on School Street and 100 feet on West Avenue. In this month also, the Board dispensed with the room in the Canda Building at Carteret which had been used for school purposes.
The plans of J. K. Jensen, architect, were accepted for the Port Reading school and construction commenced soon after- wards, the contract having been awarded to Mr. John T. Moore. Reports now began to be received of the crowded cond !- tions at the Carteret school, and in November a petition from residents of Carteret for better accommodations was pre- sented to the Board which appointed a committee to look for a suitable school site at that place.
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W.HS. Sept. 1599
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W.H. S. Dyor. 1848
11 Back row of 3. - Mildred ammeschendorf .. Tucker miss Mary Venturo dalle.
2ª rows;5: - 72%. Pearson Edua Lacharmant, altarata Dilta. 3'd pow 37 5: - Somnie A.Johnson Mummie ismen hiver, Sadie MOORE Quase Drake, Makel Sterce.
Sitting: - Harry deisen Wan Pearson, Royal Smith, Palpa Susique, Ernest Hilsdorf, itmay n.e.
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CHAPTER XI Summary A NEW ERA BEGINS
Notice is given of an election July 24, 1894, for the purpose of conforming to the new school law.
The new School Board transacts business. Three thousand dollars had been raised by District School Tax.
The trustees make rules for school discipline. School property is valued at $35,150.
Demands for a school at Keasbey received by the Board. District school lines rectified in 1876.
The school trustees appoint township teachers. Mr. Howard Valentine, Chairman of Teachers' Committee, recommends Mr. John H. Love for principalship of School No. 1, May 24, 1895.
Mr. A. Weber makes a proposition for a school at Weber.
The Raritan Hollow & Porous Brick Company offers to prepare a school and furnish it at Keasbey and the offer is accepted.
Keasbey School No. 8 is opened October 7, 1895. The great problem of building schools commences. Teachers' Meetings are encouraged by the Board.
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List of teachers and salaries is given for 1896- 1897.
German introduced in the curriculum 1896. The Board adopts Course of Study recommended by Mr. Love.
A new heating system is installed in School No. 1 and adjustable desks introduced.
Supervisor J. H. Love recommends a four-year course for the high school in 1897.
First "Grand School Day" held June 11, 1897. The Board decides to build its own school at Keasbey.
The school appropriations for 1898-1899 are $9400. The Board decides to open a school at New Dover.
The Sewaren Land and Improvement Company makes a proposition to the Board regarding a school at Port Reading in 1899.
The Board is authorized to erect a school at Port Reading at a cost not to exceed $5000.
On March 28, Mr. E. C. Ensign is elected District Clerk.
A committee is appointed to look for a suitable school lot at Carteret.
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H.S. DEPT. W. H.S
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CHAPTER XII CENTRALIZATION BEGINS
In 1900 a motion was carried on March 6:
"that $300 be inserted in the budget for the coming year for the transportation of schol- ars of the higher grade fron Carteret to Woodbridge high school. "
This Item was rejected by the voters at the annual election on March 20.
The transportation idea, however, was budding, but none could foresee the great oak that would grow from such a little acorn. At the present time (1933) the budget item for school transportation is over $30,000.
One of the most advanced steps in progressive policy ever taken by the Board was its decision to unify the schools of the township under one administrative head, and by a unanimous vote the principal of School No. 1 was ap- pointed Supervising Principal over the schools of Woodbridge School District.
On August 25, at a special meeting of the voters, the Board was authorized to purchase a school lot at Gerte.eu, Rahway Avenue and Fitch Street, and to erect a two-stor y brick structure at a cost not to exceed $12,500, including lot, school, and furnishings.
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The enrollment at No. 2, Carteret, had increased so much that, upon the suggestion of the supervising prin- cipal, the "Copenhagen System" was introduced as a re- lief measure. This system, in brief, supplied a "helper" to the regular teacher, who did the actual teaching to one group, while the helper took care of the re- maining pupils, usually with "busy work. " Several very
fine teachers developed in later years from these helpers trained under the tutelage of a good teacher. One young girl who commenced in a building, originally a store, is now principal of one of the largest schools in the township.
The Port Reading school opened in the fall of the year, the first teachers being Miss Hattie Demarest and Miss Susan Savage, and the number of the New Dover school, No. 9. was transferred to the new Port Reading school.
The repair committee was directed to secure a janitor for the school at a salary not to exceed $10.00 per month. Mr. Henry Turner received the appointment.
A great improvement in sanitary arrangements for School No. 1 was made by abolishing the old type of cut- side toilets and introducing the modern water closets. The old vaults which had been in use since 1876 were changed into a storage bin for coal, an underground runway being constructed, leading into the school building.
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On February 7, 1901, the following minute is inter- esting as giving the names of local newspapers at that time:
"Moved and carried that an advertisement for bids for the erection of the new school building at Carteret be inserted twice in the next issues of the follow- ing papers: Woodbridge News, Woodbridge Register, Perth Amboy Republican, and the Rahway Advocate. "
All these names have disappeared and new ones have taken their place.
At the Board meeting on March 10, the contract for erecting the new school at Carteret was awarded to Ira R. Crouse on his bid of $8998.
The annual meeting of the district voters was held on the 19th and the following appropriations were carried:
"Repairs to School Buildings $2000 Textbooks and Supplies. .1600 Bonds falling due. 2000 Interest on Bonds and Notes 1900 Current Expenses 12500
At the May 21st meeting, the Board at the request of Mr. H. Brewster Willis, County Superintendent, endorsed the uniform County Course of Study in the following reso- lution:
"Resolved that we hereby endorse the uniform county course of study for the primary and grammar years of work as approved by Charles J. Baxter, State Superintendent of Publio Instruction, and has been used in this county and district for the past four years,
183A
Rear- Lok Fannie Vanderveen Tev. a +, John Machtum Irving Valentine varsel Robinson John st. Love, Prin lisLockwood Wm. Suslee Sidney Noe
Front. L. to .P.
Flo. Campbell Lulu Blair Edna Brown anna, chrison
Pin0, 01
Lisa Bluit
12. Brown
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CLASS of 1432 ( Entrance to new Auditorium.)
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and hereby request the teachers of the district to continue to carry out said course. #
All the schools of the township were ordered closed on September 19 as a mark of respect to the memory of President William Mckinley who had been assassinated, his funeral being held this day.
The attendance at the New Dover School (No. 11), hav- ing decreased so much, the school was ordered closed on January 1, 1902, and the teacher, Miss Schendorf, trans- ferred to Locust Grove (No. 5). The Raritan Township Board was then informed of the Board's action. It should be re- membered that this school was located in Raritan Township just over the boundary line on Wood Avenue. The Woodbridge Board had been supplying the teacher, material, and equip- ment, and the Raritan Board the building. This action on the part of the school Trustees eliminated another of the old district schools. The building is now a private resi- dencs.
In 1902, at the annual school meeting on the 18th of March, the following appropriations were voted by the tax- payers:
"Repairs to School Buildings $2000
Bonds falling due.
1000
Interest on Bonds and Notes 1700
Textbooks and Pupils' Supplies 1500
13800
Current Expenses Total. 20000
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associates and the townspeople. What was Woodbridge's loss was Perth Amboy's galn.
On March 17, the taxpayers voted for a brick addition to School No. 1 consisting of four rooms, to cost, includ- ing furnishings, not more than $13,000. The total budget at this election was $20,000.
At the organization meeting, Mr. William Edgar was elected president and held the office until his death in 1912.
Appointments of teachers were made in May, the lowest salaries being $400 for the teachers at Rahway Neck, Locust Grove and Iselin. In the "graded" school, the lowest sal- ary was $450 and from that figure, salaries ran up to $600 for the teacher of a combination 7th and 8th grade. Prin- cipals' salaries were: Carteret No. 2, $900; Fairfield No. 7, $700; Keasbey No. 8, $700; Port Reading No. 9, $500; and Carteret No. 10, $550. The lowest salary in the high school department which had four teachers beside the Prin- cipal-Supervising Principal, was $600 and the highest, $750, was paid to the vice-principal.
Messrs. John H. Leisen, John Lockwood and William L. Harned were appointed a committee to supervise the addition to School No. 1; Mr. J. K. Jensen, the architect; Hughes and MoElroy the carpenter work contractors; Randolph Lee
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the mason contractor; and Mr. Frank Edgar the contractor for the tinning work -- these were the lowest bidders.
In 1904 the need for another school building at Cart- eret was brought to the attention of the Board and a com- mittee was appointed to investigate, which later recommend- ed the erection of the desired school. Mr. Elmer Osborn, one of the Carteret members of the Board, recommended the building be erected on the site of the old School No. 2, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously.
The following resolutions were passed at the meeting of April 11:
"Resolved: that the Board be authorized to erect and furnish a two-story brick school building containing thirteen rooms, on the site of the present No. 2 School building at Carteret, said building to cost not more than $35,000. "
Another resolution authorized the Board to dispose of the old school building as advantageously as possible. It was also decided to raise the sum of $3000 to complete and furnish the No. 1 addition and to provide additional heat- ing facilities for the main part of the building. The re- commendations of the Board, at a special meeting held April 28, were approved almost unanimously.
Messrs. H. V. O. Platt and Elmer Osborn, members from Carteret and Mr. John H. Leisen were appointed as a com- mittee to secure plans and specifications for the projected
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new school at Carteret and their recommendations were pre- sented at a meeting held May 17 and were adopted subject to approval by the State. The same committee was appointed to superintend the erection of the building.
An effort was made by a realty company to change the location of the proposed school, but, no doubt influenced by a petition from Carteret citizens, presented by Mr. J. H. Thayer Martin, it was decided unanimously to adhere to the criginal plan. Permission was given by Mr. Canda to move the old building to an adjacent lot, the Board to use it until the new school was erected. The illustration on page 130 A shows both buildings, new and old.
Some time later, old No. 2 was dismantled and became, as many another good school that had outlived its usefulness, a mere memory.
A severe storm had displaced the cupola from the top of the school and carried it away down the road to the aston- ishment of the good people of the town. Perhaps the old cup- ola could not bear to see what was going on below and was glad to be removed from the sad scene of destruction.
In June of this year, Mr. Clarence M. Liddle was elected Custodian of School Monies. Mr. Louis Bradford of Newport, New Jersey, was appointed principal of School No. 10 at a sal- ary of $550.00 per year. Mr. Bradford left the teaching pro- fession many years ago but at the present time is a member of
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the Board of Education of the Borough of Carteret.
On September 18, 1905, the following motion appears on the minutes of the Board:
"Moved and carried that all children in fourth grade, School No. 9 (Port Read- ing) be allowed to attend either school No. 1 ( Woodbridge) or School No. 2 (Carteret) as they see fit. "
There was no such thing as transportation at that time except for those fortunate on es whose parents had their own vehicles. All the other children walked to school.
At the November meeting, Supervising Principal John K. Love requested the Board to allow the teachers of the town- ship to have a one-session day one Friday each month for the purpose of a general conference of teachers and for the meet- ing of the Township Pedagogical Circle at School No. 1 in the afternoon. The request was granted. This "Circle" was or- ganized for the study of one or more professional books each month, drawn by the teachers from the Middlesex County Peda- gogioal Library which had its headquarters at New Brunswick and had been organized under the leadership of County Super- intendent of Schools, H. Brewster Willis.
The programs of these teachers' meetings centered around discussions and papers based on the reading of this profes- sional literature and usually followed by conference on mat- ters pertaining to the general welfare of the township.
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Supported by annual contributions from the teachers of the county outside the cities, and supplemented later by an allowance from the State, a splendid Pedagogical Library had been built up, being housed in the New Bruns- wick Public Library building and lasting until after the death of Mr. Willis.
A few years ago, the books were distributed among the several districts, some were presented to the library of Rutgers University for the use of teacher-students, and the "Professional Circles" ceased to exist as a county or- ganization.
In 1906, tuition charges for pupils attending Wood- bridge schools from outside the township were fixed at ten dollars per year for primary children and fifteen dollars per year for the grammar grade pupils.
On February 19, 1906, the Board engaged Mr. J. H. Thayer Martin, Jr. to represent them:
"before the committee on Townships and Boroughs and state the position of the Board of Education regarding its school bonds and the proposed Borough of Cart- eret. "
The number of high school students from Carteret had been increasing steadily, until at this time they formed a goodly proportion of the high school department student body. The grade school department also in that section of the town- ship had been increasing in enrollment owing to the rapid
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growth in population, and a movement had been initiated by an interested group of citizens to secede from the town- ship and form a municipality of their own under the name of the Borough of Roosevelt, to include both Carteret and Chrome. Another important action was taken at this meeting, the following motion being passed:
"Moved and carried that some provisions be made in the annual budget for trans- portation of pupils from outlying dis- tricts to Woodbridge High School. "
As a matter of economy, Principal James Shepard of School No. 2 was authorized to direct the removal of old furniture from the old No. 2 school for use in the new No. 2.
The annual election of Trustees was held in March, a total of twenty votes being cast.
At this time there was only one school poll in the town- ship and that was in Woodbridge proper. Unless there was something of unusual interest astir in school matters, the number of citizens appearing at elections was usually small.
The roads were generally in bad condition at this sea- son of the year and it was no unusual occurrence for a stage carrying voters from Carteret to Woodbridge to get stuck in the mud, its occupants then being compelled to complete the Journey on foot.
More than once, the writer has assisted in rounding up enough voters to open the meeting at the annual election.
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High Sch. Orchestra 1907 Um. Prall. Wm De Haven Clarence Olsen. alf. Johnson.
Uma Waring, Imiss Gimna Cornish, Usher Randolph . Chas U. Treen. Instructor Wm. Gardner, Clarence Gillis
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Mr. Elmer E. Osborn and Mr. H. V. O. Platt, having been appointed to membership on the Board of Educa- tion of the new Borough of Roosevelt, their places on the June 18 Woodbridge Board were filled by the election of Mr. Howard A. Tappen and Mr. William T. Ames for their unexpired terms. Under the able leadership of Miss Cornish of the high school department, a school orchestra had been organized and was now honored by being invited to play for the high school Commencement Exeroises. ( Sse page 191 A -- Illustration)
It had become the custom now to bring to Woodbridge the fourth and eighth grades of the township for their annual exercises and to receive certificates of promotion.
The children met in School No. 1 in the early afternoon and paraded to the Methodist Episcopal church, the Trustees of which kindly allowed the use of the building free of charge for the event.
This custom continued until the fourth grades got too large and could not be accommodated; the eighth grades alone filled the church with their friends and relatives.
The eighth grades soon grew too large also and eventu- ally were divided into two groups, Keasbey, Hopelawn, and Fords forming ons group using the Fords No. 7 building, and later the new No. 14 building for their exercises and those on the north side of the township forming the second group,
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using the auditorium of the new Barron Avenue high school.
As the years passed by, the high school olasses which had held their exercises alternately in the Methodist Episcopal church and the Presbyterian church because their own auditorium was too small, grew too large for the Methodist church. They then used the Presbyterian church annually until the erection of the handsome auditorium on the north side of the high school.
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