The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-09
COMM MUNIcATlONs,
OUR COMMON SCHOOLS.
THE SIXTH THING

IhE S1AIH THING.
Fhe sixth want in the system is the want
OF efhclent directors. a few districts in the
State are favored with vipilant directors
ana the effects can be seen in improved
schools and school houses But the great
majority of districts in the State lack good
directors. Tn many districts there is oppo-
sition, not only outside but among q the direc-
tors themselves. Very often tre boards
stand three to three on almost every eTdestion
tIfiit comes before them. In such cases there
can be no decision. Fhis condition of things
suggests a change in the law. I endorse
tIre suggestions of County Superintendent r.
D chapman on this question, so far as to re-
duclng the humber to three. Some people
opJect to- this, fs not suitable for large dis
trlctS- But counties are larger than districts,
and three Commissioners transact the bust
ness of each county. Three directors manage
the poor house: Three men generally super
intend the affairs of railroad. Indeed,
three men always transact the business of
every school board. a President a Vice
President and a Secretary attend to all the
official business. The law authorises the
Secretary to be paid for his trouble, and it
would be a poor district indeed that could
not furnish two men who would act as Pres
idef1t and Vice President for the benefit of
the district, without pay. 1 am opposed to
paying directors, unless there is some way
found TO raise more money without taxation.
There are leaks enough now. Teachers
wages are as low as the conditiCft OF affairs
viii possibly allow, and any more leaks
would be uniustifable. Fhe Secretary is
now paid for making ont the duplicates and
Keeping the minutes of the board, and men
enough can be found willing to act as Presi-
dent and Vice President III each district.
But the nufGber should be at once reduced
TO three. Then they could not Well differ I'm
regard TO any public measure. They would
be more certain to have Il quorum when
called together, and the three could appoint
collector and treasurer just as easily as
SIX. Why should there be just six? If
more than three, why not nine, or twelve, or
twenty? The Romans prospered as we'll
under trittDlUirGte as when the number of
rulers was increased. Indeed, three seems
To be the general number in any ordinary
( business matter. These three, however.
should do many things that six fail to- do.
Ehey should decide on text books long before
the term commences not afterwards. They
should notify merchants and citizens in
SOME way, of their decision, at least two
/ months before the term commences. They
/ should have the school house in proper order
and supplied IN ample time with kindling
! and fuel and other school apparatus and alsC
! buckets broOfrIs, keys, locks, etc. so thai
( teachers could commence right the first day
! have seen schools opened one month before
/ parents knew what kind of books We're
needed, and two months before things were
in proper running order. Again, director.
/ should always get the duplicate out in ample
/ time, and pitt it into She collectors hands in
| time to- collect the tax that is in doubtfu
/ leaving the district just about the time the
/ tax ought TO be paid. Many dollar could
/ be saved by vigilance in this matter. The
/ money arising from unse8ted lands the
! State appropriation, and fines and penaltie:
| due to the districts, should be carefully col
! lected. Every little helps, snd every help i!
| needed. There is no telling what an advan
/ tage a vigilant board of school directors arr
. to district. Vigilance will increase the
ways, and lengthen the term too. TneI
/ economy can be practised in many ways
/ There is no propriety in purchasing Goa
! enough in one year to last three years, no.
| in furnishing everybody that wants to holC
meetings in the school house with fuel ant
| light. These little things are leaks, and
| though small, yet, like a small leak in
! bucket, they help to lower the contents
| 1t is not expected that these three mel
! should visit the schools. The Secretary i.
| paid for visiting the schools, and so is the
/ County superintendent. But an Occasiona
! visit, when convenient, could do no harm
! If for nothing else, a monthly visit might bt
made to look at the condition of the property
! intrusted to their care.
! Not the least important duty of schoo
directors is the election of a suitable person
/ for County Superintendent. This duty coulC
! be as well performed with three good direc
| tors as with six worthless ones. There
would be a less number in convention, anC
! less expense would be incurred for the dis
trict to pay, when it does pay their expenses
ROB Roy.