Cameron County Genealogy Project
History of Gibson Township Schools
1904-1960
Notes of: Clarence Jacob Miller, b. Oct. 3,1876 at Millers Run. d. Dec. 6, 1964
loaned to me by: “Buzz” & Neil Collins Miller Jr. - transcribed by: J.P. Sitnik..)
Brief History of Gibson Township Schools
(prepared by C. J. Miller, speech he prepared for his many years of service on the Gibson Twp. Cameron County, Pa School Board award ceremony. July 1, 1960)
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In February, 1904 I was elected a member of the Gibson
Township School Board. At that time, there were six
members on each 4th Class School Board.
On the first Monday in June which was then the end of the
school year I took my office. In 1911 the law was changed
making the first Monday in July the end of the school year.
The law also change the Board membership to five.
When I went on the Board we had eleven schools operating
with an enrollment of 250. The Huston Hill school did not
operate every year. We had five families on Huston Hill
with ten pupils in school. If no school ran, our Huston
Hill pupils ere sent to the Bennezette Township School when they
could take them.
The school terms wee seven months in length with the
teachers salary on a sliding scale from $20.00 to $30.00 per
month. The grammar school teacher at Castle Garden and
Hicks Run got $35.00 per month. In 1907 no teacher
received less than $30.00.
Miss Mattie Collins was the County Superintendent of
Schools.
Teachers were elected every year. A good teacher was promised a school for the next term.
Gibson Township was a feeder for the Driftwood schools.
A teacher had to have a couple of years experience before she
was considered in Driftwood. Therefore, when a vacancy
occurred in Driftwood we very likely lost a good teacher.
The teachers got more money in Driftwood and she didn’t have
to walk a mile or more through mud or snow to get from school to
her boarding place. In many instances within a few years,
this teacher went to Emporium school in much the same manner.
This can’t be done today because of the Teacher Tenure Act.
Although there were eleven schools operating when I
began, When my term expired on Dec. 1, 1959 not one school was
operating. Would you call this 50 years of progress?
For years we paid Emporium, Renovo and Williamsport $6.00
per month tuition. Ridgway and Woodcock Township $10.00
per month; St. Marys, Bradford and Bennezette $12.00 per month.
The law said a pupil must attend the nearest and most
convenient high school. Sometimes the nearest was not the
most convenient high school. At times we had pupils living
with relatives outside of the county during the school term,
costing more money, but it was the only way these pupils could
get a high school education. So we had to break the law
and fight the auditors.
I have been told that an 8th grade education of today is
as good as a high school education 50 years ago. I hope to
be contradicted.
Transportation was the next great question. If a father worked on the railroad, his children rode a railroad pass free of charge. If not, the father had to purchase a school ticket sold at a reduced rate.
In 1917 a law was passed making it compulsory for the
school district to furnish free transportation for all pupils,
the state reimbursing the District 80% of the cost.
For years up to 1917 practically all high school pupils from east of Emporium Borough to the Clinton County line were sent to Renovo. They went down on the morning train and returned on the evening train. 90% of these pupils rode on railroad passes.
In 1930 these two trains were discontinued, The
down county students were sent to Emporium on train no. 577 due
in Driftwood at 8:00 and returning at 4 P.M. In 1945 these
two trains were discontinued and busses had to be used, giving
better satisfaction.
Personally, I tried to give the pupils of Gibson Township
the best of everything. I tried to keep posted on
education by reading educational papers and magazines and also
by attending conventions.
I don’t know if I have anything to brag about or not
but in 55 years I missed only 9 state conventions. In the
same length of time I missed 7 county conventions. At
Gibson Township School Board meetings I attended 446 meetings
and missed 19.
The greater part of my absence was caused by floods,
fires or wrecks on the railroad. To get a better posted on
county school affairs; I accepted the election as a member of
the County School Board, serving 17 years, 13 of which I was
president.
I served Gibson Township as secretary, 50 years as
secretary, 4 years as treasurer and 1-1/2 years as a member of
the School Board. I did my best and looking back over the
last half century span, I can relax and be happy.
Last, but not least, I served 40 years as truant officer,
and I am still living --- July 1, 1960
C. J. Miller
P.S. In my school days we had 3 months summer and 4
months winter school. End.
(notes of: Clarence Jacob Miller, b. Oct. 3,1876 at Millers Run. d. Dec. 6, 1964 loaned to me by: “Buzz” & Neil Collins Miller Jr. transcribed by: J.P. Sitnik..)
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