Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 263, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1914 — SCHOOL BOARD TO TAKE EMPHATIC STEP [ARTICLE]

SCHOOL BOARD TO TAKE EMPHATIC STEP

Will Mete Out Punishment to Boys Who Engaged in Two Book , Stacking Escapades. On Wednesday, evening, Oct. 28th, > the books of the- high school were “stacked” in a miscellaneous heap. The names of the perpetrators were not disclosed and the incident might have passed off without serious consequences had the same thing not been repeated Tuesday evening of this week. In an effort to place the responsibility on the right” parties and to break up permanently the destructive practice and rebellious spirit of the boys, who performed the acts Superhtendent Dean and the faculty, after disetrssing the matter with the school board, decided to cancel all athletic events and all , social functions of the high school, such as class parties, etc. This would have prevented the football game this week. Realizing what their act might do the young men who had part in the escapade decided to make complete confession and they did so, first telling Dr. Curnick, of Trinity M. E. church, and then going before the school board and members jjf the faculty and laying bare their deed. Those who did this and made confession were Dwight Curnick, Paul Worland. Harry Moore, Floyd Hemphill, Charles Rhoades and Gaylord Long. None of them are regarded as bad boys and they explained that the escapade followed some bantering. That they felt very penitent was plain for tears were shed and vows made that they would never again take part in any rebellious act.

ThA school board and Superintendent Dean want to do the right thing by all concerned. The welfare of the great body of students, the respect and authority due the teachers, the humiliation of the parents and the welfare of the boys themselves all are to be taken into consideration and the punishment, whatever it finally is, will, be given with a view to breaking up the practice. From SBOO to SI,OOO worth of books were thrown in tfie stack, Including pencils, pens, notebooks, etc, .. Many of the pupils who had worked diligently in the preparation of their school work had their notes lost, thus resulting in irreparable damage. Every parent in Rensselaer and every friend of the schools should stand firmly' with the school board and faculty in breaking up this insubordination and not so much by way of criticism of the boys themselves but by impressing them With the ingratitude of their act should all combine to stop this thing in our schools. -The school board in building the fine new high school provided a splendid gymnasium for the boys and girls, .not so much because it helped the students in their school work but because they wanted to interest the boys ..and girls and keep them in school for thein own good. This ingratitude can not be described in words and the most exemplary conduct on the part of the boys who were so unruly will pnly suffice tp* appease their deed. It is certainly to be hoped that the matter epn be adjusted so that all can rpmaln in school and that there will be none so unmanly as to engage in an .act of this kind again.