Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1913 — SUPT. W. F. CLARKE TENDERS RESIGNATION [ARTICLE]

SUPT. W. F. CLARKE TENDERS RESIGNATION

Will Go to Minot, N. Dak., as Supervisor of Practice in New State Normal School Rensselaer is to lose Its able and progressive school superintendent, William F. Clarke, who Friday tendered his resignation to the school board in order that he can accept a position as supervisor of practice dn the new North Dakota normal school at Minot, at a salary of $1,900 a year, which is S4OO more than he would have received in Rensselaer. He was asked to wait a few days before his resignation was accepted, during which time the members of the board hoped, that there might be some development that would permit them to retain Mr. Clarke as superintendent of the schools here. President Williams, of the school board, stated that he was quite certain he might be able to raise S2OO or such a matter by popular subscription to retain Mr. Clarke, whose work dur-

Ing the past year has proven his -capacity for the task of developing the greater schools of this city. Mr. Clarke will leave here reluctantly, as he found the city and people much to his liking and he was taking great interest in the development of the .new school ideas and applying them to the splendid new building and equipment. He feels, however, that the offer in the normal school not only represents a big advance of salary at this time, but also holds the prospect of further advancement in normal school woTk and consequently a further increase of salary. Superintendent Clarke came to Rensselaer a stranger, less than a year ago, He has taken a deep interest in the schools and the pupils and also in the patrons, whom he has tried to interest In everything that the schools have undertaken. He has used the columns of the newspapers in this ftianner and we feel certain that the result is a closer relationship between the patrons and the faculty. He was so well started here and his success had been so much the first year that we feel cer;ain we voice the sentiment of all n saying'that it is a great misfor;une that he Is to leave us, but The Republican has always believed that the school teacher should accept promotions when they are offered and this one seems far too good an opportunity to be turned down, and Mr. Clarke looks at it in that way. About six weeks ago President Crain, of the new normal school, came to Rensselaer to confer with Mr. Clarke about the position which has now been offered him and Mr. Clarke referred him to the school board at that time and also » others who had been associated -with him during his brief residence lere, and the testimonials he received were of a high standard and resulted in the offer of the position. It there is any person In Rensselaer who can devise some means of retaining Superintendent Clarke their suggestion will be welcomed by the school board, which is limited in the salary it can pay by the limited funds at its command. If Rensselaer is to build up and maintain a high school commensurate with the splendid new building, it must arrange for a permanent head, or at least for a head that will remain here for several years, and It could do no better th&n to retain Mr. Clarke dn the position, and this woujd be done if there was the money to accomplish it. To get any other equally as good man will cost as much money as will be necessary to retain him. It is a problem that must be settled either by meeting the salary demand or procuring an inferior head to the schools or getting another that will not remain longer than a year. Mr. Clarke’s plans are to remain here until September and then to remove to Minot. The normal school there will open September 30th and continue for 10 1 /* months. Pending the completion'of the new buildings the school will be held in the armory.