Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-03-01


Mn. EpIToR In late number of the Bal !
limore Sun have seen the Report Of Professor
Newell of the State Board to the Legislature.
He proposes several changes in the State School
Laws Of which heartily approve. But, one
alteration which he asks ! cannot regard as
iudicious; and think that many Others in
this county viii agree with me. He proposes
to take the selection Of teachers for the indi-
vidual schools out Of the hands of the District
Trustees and give it TO County Commissioners.
This would take way from these Trustees the
most important part Of their duties, and put
heavy burden on the shoulders of the Coun-
ty Commissioners, who have already about rs
much as they can well do in the time hey are
wont to devote 10 the schools. Moreover il
is not, as Professor Newell thinks, to be pre-
sumed that u County Boaid of three or i've
men are better prepared 10 select teachers
acceptable TO the several districts than the
Trustees, who are generally themselves patrons
of their particular schools; but just the con
trary. The County Board ignorant Of the
wishes Of .he patrons Of the school, Will feel
great delicacy in sending them teachers. and
will in most cases wait for request flom the
/ Trustees TO make an appointments so that, to
avoid giving offence it will after all remain
with these Trustees or The patrons; and the
reference to the County Board, who meet Lur
seldom will only occasion unnecessary DELAYS
in the opening Of the schools, and PIT both
patrons and applicants to much unnecessary
! trouble
! Permit me also 10 call the attention Of our
representatives in the Legislature to "A change
already made by the State Board in the School
Law as it now stands
Section 3, chapter VIII, has been altogether
set aside, and in its stead, another has been
adopted. The writer having graduated at "a
respectable College" and having taught nearly
thirty years-and of these eight in the State
of Maryland-opplied under the provisions of
this Article 10 the State Board through Pro-
fessor Newell for Life Certificate lie was
refused, Professor Newell stating that the
State Board had ordered that no such Certii-
cate he issued until after due examination be-
| fore them. To this several objections were
made by the applicant when Professor Newell
| proposed 10 Visit MN ana examine HIM prl-
vately So that this new regulation of the
| State Board means that no one shall have
Life Certificate of qualifications to teach in
this State, of the First Grade, who does not
come up to Professor Newcll's standard of
number one teacher, or, it may be, agree with
that gentleman or any other one who may
hold his Office, in his particular views and no.
tons of teaching. Now Professor Newell has
n high reputation MS n teacher. | know no.
thing, insnuate nothing against him. Bat
did the Legislature mean to confer this office
and power upon the Board or its Secretary?
If So why not have said so, and made the
Section referred TO read Why say one
word about Certificates and Diplomas? The |
law ought certainly to be changed; for it is
calculated to mislead others as it did me-
admit that the Section is indefinite, and may
be amended. But if the Board has made and
insists on this change, why has rot Professor
Newell notified the Legislature of it in his
Report
Respectfully Yours n