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An early teacher's contract with
Joshua Hoops (signed Hoopes)
was for three years and five
months, from the beginning of November when the school opened.
Joshua was expected to farm
the ground, keep the building in
good repair, teach the "scholars" and
notify them of the "Rules for the
Government of the School." Joshua
had to pay the Trustees $.50 for each
student he taught for each quarter,
as rent for occupying the school
house and using the acreage and the
farm buildings.
Joshua also needed the approval of the Trustees for any teacher that
he hired. There was an unusual performance bond that each party was
bound by: "...the penal sum of one
thousand Dollars..." This bond was
dropped in future lease agreements.
Joshua left in 1817 to establish a boarding school in Downingtown and then
one in West Chester
which he operated for 28 years. He
was known for his lectues on botany and astronomy.
Noah Leeds was appointed
"Superintendance of the Institution," on April 11, 1817. The terms
of service were usually short, one
to three years, except for Israel Irwin
who lasted 23 years, retired, and
then built a home near the Academy.
Teaching was not as secure a
profession as it is today.
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