Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-02-01
SCHOOL Law OF INDIANA.
ARTICLE No. s.

<1hk4NLE ANO. bs
Agreeably to a note on section 10 of the
school law, the superintendent holds that the
township trustees are to make all needful
!. rules and regulations, for the management
of schools, or enforce or cause them to be en-
forced, not trsnscending the provisions of the
law. "Though not expressed, this power
clearly belongs to the trustees, and should be
properly exercised in every school, the voice
of individuals or school meetings to the con-
trary notwithstanding. Anything else will
not meet the requirements Of the law, nor Sc
cure the highest efficiency of the schools"
1.-The above statements are not to be so con- !
strued as to deny the rights of teachers to make
rules. The teachers may, and indeed must |
make some rules; but these must be in |
harmony with the rules of the trustees. |
Teachers and trustees should fully understand |
each other in this important and often delicate |
matter, and so far as practicable, all impor
tant rules should receive joint approval"
81 If, however, the trustees shall decline or
eeglect to prescribe any regulations, then it
is his duty to assign the work to the teacher.
This section (ten) makes it the duty OF
trustees to determine the text books to be used
in their schools. Though often an unpleasant
duty, trustees should not shrink from this
work, especially if thereby they promote uni
formity and prevent frequency of changes.
Whenever change in text books becomes de-
sirable, it would be well to submit to the uni
ted Judgment Of the examiner, trustee, school
director and teacher, that prudent Judgment
may be exercised"
In visiting schools, l often hear teachers
complaining about the difficulty they have in
CHASING their pupils, in consequence of 50
many different kinds OF books in their schools
1t appears to me that as the trustees have the
power they should exercise it, and remedy
the evil so loudly complained of by a large
portion of the teachers. Some OF the patrons
of the school, who are peculiar in their no
tons, would complain of the trustees for do
ing their duty in this respect; but such per-
sons seldom it ever visit the schools to which
they send, and of course know nothing of the
difficulty under which the teacher labors.
Such persons will hold on to the old books as
long as they will hold together.
A teacher can manage fifty pupils when
properly classed, better than he can twenty,
which he cannot classify in consequence of
not having the necessary books.
It Is well known that In point of economy,
1t is much cheaper for parents to furnish their
children with suitable books, than to have
them read and study III books which are out
of date.
The superintendent says this section Q0)
very explicitly commits the care and manage
mant of all school property to school and
township trustees. respectfully suggest the
following among other means, tending to the
preservation of this property: 1st, In en-
ploying teachers the trustees should bind them
by contract to a strict care of all school prop
erty under their charge. I'd, Section SO of the
law provides that the director, under the gen.
eral order and concurrence Of the trustee shall
take charge OF the school house and the prop
erty belonging thereto. This may be made an
efficient means in the preservation of the prop
erty. To this end, however, the trustee and
director should distinctly understand each
other, knowing definitely the portion of the
work each has to perform. This only can be
done by conference; hence, it is suggested
that trustees occasionally call the directors
together for consultation on this and other
school matters"
This done, each officer will understand the
exact duties assigned him, and it is hoped will
hold himself responsible for the prompt and
full discharge of the same; especially so ir
reference TO the care and preservation OF
school property.
This same section of the school law all
thoriZes the school trustees TO purchase
everything necessary, not prohibited by law
for the thorough organization and efficient
management of schools.
In speaking of the duties of trustees il
taking the enumeration a children / neglected
to state that the township and range IN which
the children reside, must be named. although
the law requires it to be done. there is no prac
teal benefit in SO doing except in township s.
north, range l, =, 8 and east, and in town
ship 80. SO and 81 north, range east. It
particularly necessary in the above nance
townships, in order that the auditor may b
enabled to settle with the auditors Of Kosci
usko and ST. Joseph counties. / would
glad If the trustees would remember this whe
returning their enumeration.
These trustees are such important charac
tiers, that will be under the necessity of re
ferring to their duties in another article
T. MCDONALD. Examiner