New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-06
commits. a'r.'.'
PHNpO~%D GUANGES IN THE It 1lOOI
LAW.

Eni;u'e :iri':':.i>:
Ih. discussion o; "a. s.:,..: .;:c .::on
!.ayin. til;.> early been commenced with u
VII. -. maxim: important changes IN :nc
present system .lu:;n.; the presen, session
"f the Legislature. would respectfully 90
'lici: - place IN ,"our columns 10 make few
suggestion. which. hope. ma. DC found
useful. The State Superintendent having
given hi, views on the subject. il Is only
obtain all tils light possible on 80 important
4 matter.
Tie Stat, Superintendent condemn, what
he calls the ward SYSTEM" and no doubt
most of the school officers who hold their
offices by his favor will echo his sentiments.
and cali Cor the abrogation Of this part Of
the present law: but am OF opinion that
this i, the only feature Of the law
which ought 70 be retained. Almost the
entire machinery Of the preseat system is
cumbersome. expensive or impracticable
There Is not the slightest necessity for a
State Board Of Education. or Of the present
parish school boards. A single school Off
Ger in each parish. intrustei with the
superintendence of the schools Of his
parish. the examination of teachers.
and granting certificates. holding of
teachers Institutes. regulating the school
districts OF his parish, the appointment of
ward officers where the people fail to elect
the auditing of the claims of teachers. and
making ali necessary reports to the State
Superintendent. would do all the work now
performed by the State and parish boards.
and do it much more effectuallv than it can
now possibly be done. To secure proper
attention on his part to the duties of his
office. he should b. paid per diem for the
time actually employed and require him to
make oath before the Parish Judge to the
correctness of his accounts. and that the
services charged for have been actually
rendered. After his bills have been ap-
proved by the Parish Judge. lc: them be
paid out OF the general fund of the parish
and not out of the school fund at all. thus
wing so much for school purposes.
In order to avoid maxim. an.v more officers
than are necessary. the Parish Treasurer
should be made the custodian of the school
funds. and require him to pay them out on
the warrant OF the parish school officer. and
requiring him TO furnish additional bond if
necessary.
The executive authority now enjoyed BY
the State Superintendent is another bad
feature OF the law. and ought to be
abolished. He should be required TO visit.
confer with and advise the principal school
officers of the parishes, assist at teachers
institutes. visit schools whenever consistent.
receive and compile school reports, prepare
school statistics, etc. If he was confined
to the legitimate duties of his office he
would not require the services OF secrc
tary at an enormous salary. which would
he Il saving Of $4,000 year to the school
fund.
Each school district, whether composed
of a ward. incorporated town or city. should
elect by general ticket a school board to
have the immediate control Of the schools,
the employment of teachers, the building
and repairing of school-honses, etc. and let
it certify to the parish school officer or SUI
perntendent the amounts due each teacher,
as basis ON which to settle their claims.
The appointment of these district officers
should never be resorted to except on
failure of the people to elect. All officers
should be granted the largest liberty con-
sistent with a faithful discharge of duty,
but where their duties are prescribed they
should be few. plain and simple. SO as to be
easily understood and readily performed.
Beyond this everything should be left to the
discretion of the officer.
The question of separate or mixed schools
can easily be solved to the satisfaction OF