Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-21
w. WELLS.
OUR SCHOOL Id WS-EDUCATI
DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION
| The opponents of the late legislative action
looking towards progression in educational
matters, are making an early movement in the
direction of repeal of all or a part of the
common school laws enacted last winter An
| order was introduced into the Senate lew
| days ago, and referred to the Committee on
Education, which called for the repeal of the
law authorizing school committees to employ
teachers, and vests that power in the district
agent, as formerly, and petitions to the same
end have been presented in the lower branch.
The RADICAL change made in the school laws
last winter would necessarily be expected to
produce considerable feeling and create much
opposition throughout the State. 1t was an
innovation upon an old and time honored GUS
tom, and the only wonder is that it has been so
well received generally and its merits recog-
nized. 1t has had only about nine months
trial, and the question is has it proved valua-
BILE or otherwise, and especially whether suf
fcient time has elapsed in which to thorough
y test its availability and practicability. l
|
it in the statutes another year and then if ex-
perience shows that it is not beneficial, repeal
it by all means.
| have particular reference to the law en-
powering school committees to employ teach
ers instead of vesting that power in the school
district agents hands as heretofore. This
portion of the law seems to be that which is
most directly and persistently aimed at at
present, most of the directors saying the re-
peal of that portion will satisfy them, though
one or more of the leading opposers in the
House would make clean sweep of the whole.
A public hearing was had upon the question
before the Committee on Education, Thursday
night, for the special purpose of allowing those
who had presented petitions for repeal of
the law, an opportunity to give their reasons
for wishing SO to do. But it seemed the
friends and advocates Of repeal were not
ready or failed to find reason for the Nth
that was in them, for but very little was said
against the law as a whole, and except in one
case all the speakers agreed that with slight
amendment the school laws are just what we
want.
Mr.. Burgess of Portland recommended that
the law be so changed that school committees
could not act as teachers in the schools of
their own towns, and some other speakers
spoke of cases where this would be very
good idea. This matter might be decided by
a vote of the district, thus allowing them to
say whether or not they wanted the commit
tee man as teacher.
Mr.. Stickney Of Presque Isle spoke at some
length of the good results of the present school
system in Aroostook county. The schools
there have improved 100 per cent. under the
supervisory law. Teachers institutes have
proved very successful in his section, and he
is opposed to any change of the law.
Mr.. Nealley of York county thought it for
the interests of the State to test the law thor
oughly, which has not yet been done. 1t
works well in his section. The teachers in
stitutes have not only been benefit to the
teachers but have created an interest among
the parents.
| Mr.. Googins Of Millbridge, said committees
in the town Of Cherryfield have employed
teachers for the last ten years with good re-
suits. His part of the State do not ask for a
repeal of the law.
Mr.. Comins of Ellington would not oppose
the law as whole, but in certain localities
the people are determined not to like it. He
would have the question of who should en-
pl6y teachers left for decision at the town
meetings.
| Mr.. Moore of Buckfeld says in his town
the law works badly. If the committee see
fit to employ themselves to teach a school
even against the expressed wish of the people
of the district there is no remedy for they
have the power all in their own hands. His
town asks for repeal of that part of the law.
| Mr.. Hopkins of Mt. Vernon said his con-
stituents wish the repeal of that part of the
law authorizing committees to employ teach
ers. The law is just right for cities but does
not work well in larger towns.
Mr.. Perkins of Pennington said the law
worked well in his town because it is large
one, but in the rural districts it is giving dis
satisfaction. The teachers institutes through
out Franklin county have proved a success,
| and did not cost nearly IS much as he expect
| ed. a.9Err .r-r
| Mr.. Willard of Mercer said in his town
agents and committees worked together
Thinks if we press this part of the law we
may lose the whole.
Mr.. Slavery of Ellsworth is in favor OF al
lowing towns to decide whether committees
or agents shall employ teachers.
Mr.. Carlton of Whitefield said the people
demand a. repeal of the whole law, and he
proposed to argue the question after the evil
dence was all in.
After brief remarks by several other gem
| tlemen the meeting closed.
On.
Proposals for State Printing !