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Page 138 THE FIRST SCHOOL
BOARD
that at the time of the incorporation of the Borough of DuBois it
had a population of 5000 people.
It was represented to the Board that if the Borough
elected its own superintendent, the superintendent's salary would be
paid from State funds and the Borough would be free from paying its
proportionate tax to the county for institute purposes, and its
superintendent could teach in the schools, thus saving the salary of
a teacher.
The proceedings prior to the election, and after the
election, were related to the writer by a member of the School Board
and is somewhat confirmed by the minutes of the School District.
On January 8, 1883, the minutes show that: "A special
meeting was held, stating the object of the meeting to be
investigation State appropriation and electing a Borough
Superintendent. On motion the salary of the Superintendent was fixed
at $900.00. "On motion W. S. Luther's proposition was accepted and
filed. W. S. Luther was then elected Superintendent. "On motion the
meeting adjourned."
Mr. Luther was the first Superintendent at a salary of
$900.00 per year. This was about one-half the salary paid the County
Superintendent.
Apparently this election was not certified to the
Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Pennsylvania.
On inquiry as late as July 17, 1931, after a thorough investigation
of the records, nothing could be found that a Borough Superintendent
had been elected at this time.
A little later Mr. Luther asked that his salary be
paid. The School Board were rather skeptical as to their right to
pay the salary of their Superintendent, and on the 13th of March,
1883, is the following:
"The following resolution was made:
"Superintendent Luther being present, stated in
reference to his trip to Harrisburg, that the Borough would receive
one-half the annual appropriation from the State this year and that
the $200.00 they were compelled to pay into the County Treasury
annually from the school fund, would cease, and that the
appropriation we would get this year would be $1150.00. "On motion
of Dr. Smathers, resolution that the Board sustain themselves in
their former action in reference to Borough Superintendent W. S.
Luther. "The motion prevailed amid thunderous applause."
At this meeting an order was issued on the Borough
Treasurer for the City Superintendent's salary, no doubt with the
representation and expectation that they would get this back out of
money represented by Mr. Luther that would be paid.
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