USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > An Educational History Of The School District of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 1666 - 1933 > Part 11
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At the present time (1933) the high school auditor- ium is taxed to its fullest capacity for this annual event owing to the increasingly large graduating classes.
Although the Board of Roosevelt had taken over the schools of that section, arrangements having been made for taking care of the school bonds issued for No. 2 and No. 10 as they fell due, the high school students continued to attend the Woodbridge High School at an annual tuition rate of $35.00 per capita.
Port Reading No. 9 had now reached its capacity and demand arose for additional accommodations for the children. A vacant room in the village was secured as an annex and Miss Jennie Numbers appointed teacher, October 15 at a salary of $450.
Residents of Avenel now began to agitate for the trans- portation of scholars from Avenel to Woodbridge school but
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the Board refused to grant it, saying:
"All school children from the first to the eighth grade living in that vicinity can be accommodated at School No. 4. "
The transportation fever was spreading, having reached Keasbey, a communication being received from the people of that place:
"requesting free transportation for their children attending the Woodbridge High School. "
An important resolution reading as follows, was passed at the meeting of the Board on October 15:
"Moved and carried: that the High School Diploma shall be granted only for four full years of high school work and that a Commercial Certificate shall be issued for the three years commercial work and that to obtain the High School Diploma, holders of such certificate shall se- lect enough studies to complete four years of work. &
This action was indicative of the development that had taken place in the high school department through the pass- ing years.
On January 21, 1907, a delegation from Avenel appeared before the Board and requested better school facilities for that vicinity.
In response to pressure from Keasbey and Port Reading, estimates were secured for additions to the schools in those sections and presented to the voters in March at the annual
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meeting and were carried unanimously.
The recommendations included a second-story brick addition containing two rooms for No. 9 at a oost not to exceed $6000, and a two-stor y brick addition of four class rooms to the Keasbey school not to cost more than $12000.
The use of electric light in the town had been in- creasing and the Board moved to install electric lights in assembly room, halls, and cloak rooms of No. 1 school, at a cost not to exceed $250. Large, swinging oil lamps were in the school now and were still the only source of artificial light.
It will perhaps be interesting to note that the ex- penses of the March 18 election for officials were a bill for $3.00 from Mr. T. Harvey Morris who had acted as seo- retary. It should be mentioned, however, that his report reads in part:
"The following appropriations and resolu- tions receiving a majority of the votes were carried unanimously (36 votes). "
At the same election, Mr. Melvin Clum, representing the Fords section of the township, became a member of the Board and served continuously as member, vice-president, and president of the Board until his death, on April 10, 1933.
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ПОЯ - ЭТАЯТIN-NAM P;
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Grad. Class- Eighth Grade-Sch. 1. 1907.
( With Pris. Wm. Edgar).
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The demand for increased school facilities had now spread to Fords, for at the May 6 meeting, Messrs. William Edgar, the president of the Board, and John H. Leisen were appointed a committee:
"to investigate the need of more school room at Fords and ascertain at what figure a suitable lot can be procured in that vicinity. "
On July 15:
"Mr. H. A. Tappen, Chairman of the special committee appointed to investigate the school needs of Avenel, recommended the renting of the Avenel Fire House and the securing of a teacher to teach there. "
The recommendation was adopted and in August, Miss Carrie Ewing was appointed as "Fire House" teacher at a sal- ary of $450.
The matter of transporting pupils from Port Reading came before the Board again, but the Clerk was directed to Inform the petitioners for that privilege that their request could not be granted because there was no money available for that purpose during the present school year.
In 1908, attention was drawn to the fire hazards at No. 1, so the old wooden stairs leading to the second floor were eliminated and iron stairs substituted; the side wallf of the stairway S were filled with flake asbestos as further protection.
Medical inspection was introduced and Drs. B. W.
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Hoagland and I. T. Spencer appointed as inspectors.
Mr. C. W. Boynton of Boynton Beach, who for many years had served as member of the Board of Education, and was one of the progressive citizens responsible for the erection of the "Graded School" in 1876, died at his home in Sewar- en. Although he had not been a Board member for many years, he had continued his interest in the schools and was always active in his support of the progressive policies of the Board.
Resolutions of regret were drawn by the Board and or- dered put on the minutes.
At the September meeting of the Board, the following motion was carried:
"Moved and carried: the president be author- ised to contract with the New York and New Jersey Telephone Company for installing tele- phone in No. 1 school. "
This was a decidedly progressivo step in the unifica- tion of the township schools and it was not long before all the schools were connected with the office of the supervis- ing principal at Woodbridge No. 1.
Steady pressure from Keasbey and Fords resulted in the following action:
"Hoved and carried the trolley fares of Michael Fee from Keasbey, and Ella Joyce from Fords, attending Woodbridge High School be paid. "
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The principle of paying transportation of high school pupils to the Central High School was getting more firmly established. Equality of opportunity in regard to a high school education for all children in the township qualify- ing and desiring it, was now being demanded as a right and was being definitely established by the Board.
In 1909, at the April meeting of the Board, a petition was presented to them signed by thirty residents of Fords praying that body to purchase a piece of land at the rear of No. 7 school lot for a sum not to exceed $400 and to erect a school on the combined lots at a cost not to ex- ceed $13600. Steps were at once initiated to secure the proposed lot and all additional frontage up to 200 feet, free and clear.
Another Board member of the old regime died this year, Mr. John Lockwood. Many years of faithful and ef- ficient service had been rendered by him to the schools and he was well known for his business integrity, unim- peachable character, kindliness of heart and his unfail- ing interest in all educational matters.
Resolutions of regret and a testimonial to his worth were passed by the Board and ordered put on the minutes.
Manual training was introduced into the schools by the appointment of Miss Edith Hinsdale as art and manual
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training teacher in No. 1 School at a salary of $700. At first the work was entirely for the grades, wooden trays and sloyd knives being the chief tools.
The teachers' committee presented a teachers' salary schedule to the Board, which was ordered laid over for a month, but was finally adopted.
As this was the first definite attempt to regulate teachers' salaries providing for regular annual increments, it is herewith given:
"Salary Schedule for the Schools 01 Woodbridge Township June 7, 1909
First:
The minimum salary for primary teachers, Nor- mal School. graduates without experience, shall be $500. The maximum salary shall be $800. Second :
The minimum salary for untrained teachers with- out experience shall be $450. The maximum salary for primary or grammar grade teachers shall be $800. Third:
The minimum salary for trained grammar school teachers shall be $600. The maximum salary shall be $900.
Fourth:
The minimum salary for high school teachers and special teachers shall be $650. The maximum salary, $950. The minimum salary of the vice-principal of the high school shall be $850. The maximum $1200. Fifth:
The minimum salary of principals of primary or grammar schools of two to four rooms shall be $650. the maximum, $950.
Sixth:
The minimum salary for principals of primary or grammar schools of more than four rooms shall be
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$750. The maximum $1050.
Provided:
No teacher shall be appointed principal of a school of more than one room unless he or she shall have at least a First Grade County Certi- ficate in full force and effect.
Provided:
Teachers of one-room schools shall be rated as primary teachers if there be less than five grades and as grammar grade teachers if there be more than four grades.
Provided:
Increases of salary shall be based upon length of service and efficiency. For each year of service the teacher shall be entitled to $25 increase; and for rating as "G" good, to $25 ad- ditional. Increases shall continue until the maximum of the grade is reached. The rating of the teachers shall be based upon separate re- cords kept respectively by the principals and the supervising principal and marked each month. Said records shall not be divulged to any other teacher than the one immediately interested, the supervising principal of schools and members of the Board of Education. Said records shall be submitted to the Teachers' Committee for consid- eration at least one week immediately preceding the annual appointment of teachers. Blanks for such records shall be provided by the Board of Education.
On May 17, the following resolution was passed:
"Whereas: John H. Love has occupied said pos- ition of Supervising Principal for eight years last past and possesses all the quali- fications required by law: Therefore: we do appoint the said John H. Love as Super- vising Principal for the school district of the township of Woodbridge for the term of one year to take effect July1, 1909."
This resolution was passed because the State Legisla- ture at its last session had passed an act terminating the office of supervising principal in all the townships,
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boroughs, and cities without superintendents, on the 30th of June, 1909. This also provided that such an officer could only be reinstated upon the authorization and recom- mendation of such an officer by the County Superintendent. The Board could follow suit if it were of the opinion that such an office was:
"a necessity for the equal instruction, advancement and benefit of all the school children of the district. "
A special meeting of the voters of the township was held June 29 for the purpose of voting on a resolution to purchase a lot adjacent to the Fords No. 7 school and erect a schoolhouse on the combined lots, the total cost with furniture and other necessary equipment, not to exceed $1400. The total vote cast was seventeen for the resolution and none against it. The building was to be of brick and con- tain four class rooms.
On September 20, the president and District Clerk were authorized to take measures to:
"transport school children living remote from schools to schools that are most convenient. "
The supervising principal had come into possession of an "Orient Buckboard", one cylinder automobile, tiller steer ing, friction plate drive, motor mounted at the rear, and was using it as a means of transportation to the township schools when visiting them. Today, the machine would be a
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curiosity. The Board passed a motion to supply gasoline for the car while using it for school purposes. Very little gasoline was consumed because the car was, as a rule, out of commission.
The first recorded purchase of trolley tickets for school children appears in the minutes under the date of June 29:
"Moved and carried: an order for $50 be drawn in favor of Supervising Principal John H. Love, to be used for the pur- chase of trolley tickets to be sold to pupils. Said $50 be repaid to the cus- todian of school monies at the close of the school year. "
At this time the first township truant officer was appointed. *
On October 19, transportation for children above the fifth grade at Port Reading to and from Woodbridge was ordered by the Board. The meeting of this date marks an- other epoch in the history of the Woodbridge schools, for on motion of Mr. Tappen, the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted:
"Whereas in the judgment of this Board, the school accommodations now provided in this district are inadequate and un- suited to the number of pupils attend- ing or desiring to attend school and: Whereas: it is the opinion of this Board that, in order to provide ade- quate and suitable school accommodations, a plot of land be secured and a new schoolhouse be erected and school furni-
* S. H. Love had been action as T.V. mr P. K. Edgar first aid appointed,
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ture and other necessary equipment pur- chased, and that the amount necessary for the foregoing is thought to be the sum of $70,000, therefore, Resolved: that a meeting of the legal voters of the school district be held at Masonic Hall, Woodbridge, on the 16th day of November, 1909, at three o'clock in the afternoon and that the District Clerk be and is, hereby directed, etc ..
Other resolutions called for the purchase of a lot at a price not to exceed $5000 at the corner of Grove Avenue and Barron Avenue and to erect a schoolhouse which, with its furniture and equipment, was not to exceed a cost of $65000. Payment for the land and buildings, etc., was to be through a bond issue. When the special meeting took place the resolutions were all carried by safe majorities.
The transportation of children from Port Reading was again taken up, and Mr. Juan, the local liveryman, was given a contract to do the work at a cost of $30.00 per month, which was to include the transportation of the teachers also.
John Miele of Iselin was employed to transport pupils from New Dover to Oak Tree school Raritan Township, at $15.00 per month. The Board was now thoroughly committed to the transportation idea.
President William Edgar appointed H. A. Tappen, H. R. Valentine, and J. C. Fowler, as Building Committee for the projected new high school, and the Finance Committee was di- rected to attend to procuring bids on the bond issue.
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On January 17, 1910 bids on the bonds for the new high school were opened and Howard V. Stokes of New York secured the issue of $70,000 at 100.83, subject to the usual legal procedure.
John Noble Pierson and Son, of Perth Amboy, were ap- pointed architects. Plans for the new structure were pre- sented at the February 21 meeting and were adopted, sub- ject to approval by the State Board. Later in the year, the plans were considerably modified in order to bring the build ing within the appropriations.
High school tuition for outside students was raised to $75.00.
On April 18, the following motion was passed:
"Moved and carried the following invitation be tendered Governor Fort of New Jersey:
To His Excellency, John Franklin Fort Governor of New Jersey
Dear Sir:
We, the Board of Education of Wood- bridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, in regular session, extend to you a unanimous and hearty invitation to be our guest at the laying of the cor- ner stone of our $70,000 high school at a date that may be mutually agreeable in June, and we sincerely trust that you may be with us.
Over 1000 children are already eager to meet our Governor with flowers and songs. "
LULA
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GROUP OF TOWNSHIP TEACHERS 1910 attending meeting of Prof Circle at no. 1.
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Seventy thousand dollars was considered a large sum of money at that time to pay for a school, but today we are astonished at the value the Board received for its money. Committees interested in school buildings came from many parts of the State to inspect and admire.
The lot on which the school was erected was the old Woodbridge ball field, the scene of many a tough struggle between Perth Amboy baseball teams and Woodbridge, even in- cluding the baseball fans. Many old timers of the two places will remember the famous "Marions" of Perth Amboy, and the "Brown Boys, " -- Dave, Will, Charlie, and Arthur, who played on the Woodbridge Athletic Club team. The cheers, the groans, the fights, the arguments! How well we romember them and the efforts of "Paddy" Murphy of blessed memory, and "Paddy" Cullinane not to stop them until it was compulsory to do so (which they could always do in double-quick order. ) On May 16, 1910:
"Mr. W. H. Demarest presented a letter from his brother, Mr. Ernest Demarest of Tacona, Washington, offering to ship the Board, free of cost, a flag pole 150' in length, with a topmast 50' in length for the new high school. The offer was accepted and Mr. Demarest was given a vote of thanks. "
The bids for the new school were opened at the meeting of May 23. Ira R. Crouse of Perth Amboy was awarded the gen- eral contract, exclusive of heating, and John L. Reed of New-
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ark, the heating contract.
Further building was undertaken in September, the re- pair committee recommending an extension to School No. 6 (Iselin) and a new front entrance to No. 1 school. Archi- tect Pierson was instructed to prepare plans for these in- provements, the recommendations being adopted.
The extension at the Iselin School consisted of one ad- ditional class room, Mr. J. M. McElroy securing the contract on his bid of $1512.
On July 18, the recommendation of the building committee for the installation of telephones at Fords, Keasbey, and Port Reading schools was adopted unanimously.
The subject of transportation again came to the fore, requests for it being received from Iselin and Port Reading at the Board meeting on September 6. The New High School Committee also reported at this time that Governor J. Frank- lin Fort had set October 6 as the date when it would be con- venient for him to attend the laying of the corner stone.
A short time later, it was agreed to provide transporta tion for high school and eighth grade pupils from Iselin.
On November 21, a communication was received from lir. Er- nest Demarest of Tacoma, Washington, informing the Board that:
"the giant flag pole would probably reach New York in December. "
*- Mr Reed never completed his contract. I.H.C.
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The enrollment at No. 1 had increased to such an ex- tent that the Hungarian Magyar church adjacent to the school had been secured for use as a school room but the heating was so inadequate that, in December, part-time in the main building was instituted for two grades, and the use of the church discontinued.
In 1911 the building of the new high school proceed- ed under the supervision of the Building Committee. The fol- lowing list of furniture is given as supplied by Albert Leon of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, together with the contract figures:
"125 Pupils Desks and Chairs 4.25
8 Teachers
14.00 9 4.50 20 Tablet Arm Chairs
4. 75
20 Commercial Desks 7.50 48 Chairs 70.00 per doz.
1 Principal's Desk
40.00
Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company supplied 300 assembly settees, lifting seats, slat-backs @ .87 each. "
On April 17, on recommendation of the Janitorts'Committee Mr. B. A. Dunigan was appointed janitor of the new high school at a salary of $100 per month. It was moved and car- ried that the Locust Grove (No. 5) School be closed. Thus passed mother old-time school from the educational system.
The Teachers' Committee recommended the appointment of male principals for schools Nos. 1 and 7.
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On July 17, a motion was carried that the Chemical and Physical Laboratory for the new building be outfitted at a cost of $476.75.
The appointment of a physical instructor was made at this meeting; ur. F. C. Ryder was chosen qt a salary of $850.
The Locust Grove School having been closed, arrange- ments were directed to be made for the transportation of the pupils fron that section to the most convenient school. Rahway school was selected by the committee appointed for the purpose.
At a subsequent meeting this month, Mr. Gilbert John- son was given the contract for the erection of the new flag pole at the high school for the sum of $295. The giant pole, which, for transportation purposes had been cut into two pieces, had been sent by sea around Cape Horn and had arrived safely in New York Harbor from whence it was brought by a Fort Reading tug boat to Port Reading free of charge through the courtesy of Mr. Barrett, then the superintendent at Port Read- ing docks, and lastly by a team of horses from the dock to the high school.
Mr. Johnson set the pole in a concrete foundation about ten feet deep and six feet wide, putting the topmast in place and reeving the halyards through the block at the top
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ready for hauling up the new flag that had been presented for the purpose by Barrett. The "pull" of the flag in stormy winds caused the topmast to bend like a whip-lash, and, fearing an accident, the piece was taken down some- time later. The main part of the pole was trimmed into shape and stands as the flag pole today. The topmast is now used as a flag pole for school No. 10, Hopelawn.
A magnifient new flag had been presented to the High School by Superintendent Barrett, of the P. R. R. and was formally raised on the great flag pole, Saturday, September 23, 1911, at 3 p. m. with appropriate exercises.
At the August meeting of the Board, the Building Com- mittee was directed to make arrangements for the opening of the new high school on September 11.
The first staff of teachers to occupy the new build- ing consisted of:
"Mr. John H. Love Principal and Super- vising Principal
Miss Edith Whitney Vice-principal
Teachers -- High
Isaac Gilhuly
Viola Dunham
Edith Brander Ruth Braley -- Musie
Teachers -- Grade
Helen Holmes Anna Shoemaker
Nellie Hamil
Anna Keegan
Frank C. Ryder
Edith Scott
Leona Van Riper Edith Hinsdale -- Art
Another era in the history of the Woodbridge schools
had opened!
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Study Hall W.H.S
STUDY HALL 1911-1912 ( now the library )
SS. Deler. H. Prall
A.Petersen R. Lidal E. m Elroy - Reus P. Fenton
H. Trucksworlon Dit Dunham
For Mi Jaeger
ASSEMBLY TROOM. 1911-1912
( part of this is now the Att Room ) Corn Stalks on front edge of platform)
W. H.S Assembly Room 1911-12.
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CHAPTER XII Summary CENTRALIZATION BEGINS
The office of the Supervising Principal of Schools was created in 1900 and John H. Love was appointed to the position.
Voters authorize a new school at Carteret to cost $12,500.
The "Copenhagen" System was introduced at Carteret. Port Reading school was opened in 1900.
Improvement in sanitation was made at School No. 1. County Superintendent's Uniform Course of Study was en- dorsed by the Board.
The New Dover school was closed January 1902. The school appropriations for 1902-1903 total $20,000.
Carteret residents protest the reduction of the principal's salary.
Mr. Victor Main, President of the Board resigns in 1903.
The taxpayers authorize an addition to School No. 1 to cost $13,000.
Mr. William Edgar succeeds Mr. Main. Mr. Clarence Liddle elected custodian of school funds June 1904.
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Supervising Principal John H. Love recommends the last Friday afternoon for teachers' meetings.
Mr. Howard Tappen and Mr. W. Ames succeed Mr. E. Osborn and Mr. H. V. Platt who accept membership on the school board of the new Boro of Roosevelt.
Medical inspection was introduced in 1908. Mr. Z. W. Boynton, an old school board member dies.
First telephones installed in the schools 1909. Manual training introduced in 1909. First attempt to regulate teachers' salaries in 1909.
The Board authorized to erect an addition to the Fords No. 7, cost not to exceed $14,000.
The first recorded purchase of trolley tickets for transportation of pupils was June 29, 1909.
The Board appoints first truant officer in 1909. Preamble and resolutions offered by Mr. Tappen for the erection of a new high school October 19, 1909.
Governor Franklin Fort of New Jersey invited to be present at the laying of the corner stone April 18, 1910. Giant flag pole offered to the Board by Mr. E. Demarest of Tacoma, Washington.
Mr. Ira Crouse of Perth Amboy awarded the general contract for the new high school May 23, 1910.
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Procession of School Children passing down Green Street Ceremonial Breaking of Sod New High School 1910.
Laying of Corner-stone- W.H.S by Gov. Franklin Fort 1910 . Gov. Fort-making address
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Governor Franklin Fort lays the corner stone of the new high school October 6, 1910. Locust Grove School No. 5 closed. Presentation of flag by Mr. Barrett, Superinten- dent of P. R. R. Port Reading; raised September 23, 1911. The new high school opened September 11, 1911 with Mr. John H. Love as principal.
CHAPTER XIII SCHOOL BUILDING ( Continued)
In January 1912, the County School Board Association met in the new high school gymnasium, the members being given an opportunity to inspect the school.
On February 19, demands for additional school accommodations were being received by the Board who de- cided to submit the following propositions to the tax- payers at the Annual March meeting:
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