DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 9

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS

EDUCATION BOARD DISCUSSION REPLY TO ASHBURTON COMPLAINT Objections to the “tone” of a letter from the board of managers of the Ashburton Technical High School were expressed at a meeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday. The letter from the of managers asked the board for its policy on the establishment of further district high schools in the Ashburton county. The reasons for the request were given as follows: — “(1) It has come to the notice of the board of managers that considerable discussion is resulting in the Hinds-Mayfield-Mount Somers area after a school committee delegates’ meeting at which it appears an officer and also a member of the education board was present, and who apparently advocated the establishment of a district high school to serve part or parts of the area. “(2) In view of the fact that the technical school draws a large number of its pupils from this area, the board of managers is vitally interested in the possible establishment of a district high school in this, or in any of its contributing districts. The board of managers does not dispute any official investigation by the board along these lines, but it does feel that if the agitation apparently inspired as a result of the above-mentioned meeting is board policy, then courtesy would demand that the board of managers be advised of what your board has in mind, since the repercussions could seriously affect the technical school.” Mr G. Edgar said he knew that no board member or officer had attended the meeting. He had told individual delegates who attended the meeting that in his view a second district high school would eventually be necessary in Mid-Canterbury. Mr R. R. Beauchamp said the appointments committee had considered the letter and had objected to the tone of it. It was no concern of the technical high school whether a member of the board attended a school committee delegates’ meeting. A reply along these lines will be sent to the Ashburton board.