Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-03-31
EDUCATION.
The District System.

The State Superintendent Of Common
Schools has labored increasingly to bring
about certain needed measures of Reform
in the State School Laws. 1t has cost
hard work and seasons Of depression to
overcome the opposition of some to
what they call '.innovations" and ''new
tangled notions" There is a stiff conserv-
atism in Education as in every thing else.
But when good is clearly dem onstrated
TO the people they can be depended up
on to clear the way for its reception.
The School Districts are now in the way
of an admirable method OF intelligent
School management. The object we
desire is TO simplify the working ma
chinery. Every Town is divided now
Cor the management of the Public
Schools in such way that part re-
ceive the School advantages. In large
Districts the Schools are long and in
small districts very short. Then again
a variety of wages is paid TO Teachers
and a variety of conflicting regulations
imposed BY the different Districts.
The School money is parcelcd out
and expended far from iudiciously or 10
the best purpose. There could be found
better talent and qualifications for the
administration OF School affairs. in the
whole. than in part of the inhabitants
of every town.
Particular Districts now neglect their
duties or choose unsuitable school agents
or none at all The embarras,men,s are
very great from many causes.
How tnuch better il would he if one
competent Heal of Public Instruction
could be chosen hv the whole town aud
the management OF the schools reduced
from "wI.ring chaos" to law and or
''consolditc" sound worse than they
mean. The people in the several locali-
ties imagine there is high-h inded.
arbitrary rule to be sc. up for them by
foreign power and their own interests
undervalucd or even periled. Bat the
new plan does not contemplate arbitrary
Power. or any thing more than unity and
simplicity in the place Of awkward and
ponder Gus school machinery
We have the end, of Education an
-wcrci better and more good given to
the Districts by the change. Where there
i now a poor school there would cstab-
li-hcd good one. The School-Houses
would pass from the control of the penu-
riouS and unappreciaiive perhaps, 10 the
larger minded and wiser.
The Law passed by the Legislature
this winter allows or authorizes towns
t. abolish the Districts This means
the whole shall govern the several parts
in Education a well "a in all material in
tcrc,t-. The towns shall establish
Schools in all the various ueig nborhood.
population; a many a. the circum-
stances require. The Town shall erect
or improve all the school Houses. There
NAV be just a many school, or more
than now. We think the people only
need 10 see their ow "A interests, to hcarti-
" second and ha stem to adopt Supcrin-
tendcni Johnson's grand suggestions.
A. the School Laws of the State have
taken 20 much already out of the con-
troll of the Districts they have virtually
made an end of their old uses and abu,-
e.. We urge the great gain To Education
which might come if the Towns would
ideas. Friend, al Education. Parents :
agitate. give the matter your thought
and attention. Let Us work with heart
and soul. to reform the greatly defective
old-fas hioned District system.
County Supervisor.