New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-28
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
PUBLIC SCHOOL CHANGES.

PUBLIC SCHOOL CHANNELS,
IfR NEW LAW CRITICIsED-NECESSIff OF ADOPTING
SUPERIOR SYSTEM.
Considerable comment having been excited
IN educational circles by the new Law reorganzng the
renartrpent OF Public Instruction in this city, aud the
retrogressiOn in increasing the number of Commission
ers from " TO 81 reporter Of THE TRIBUNE sent
yesterday learn the views Of number OF persons
interested in educational matters, to the advsabty
Of the change and its Several members of the
present Board. two Of whom Republicans. with
whom the reporter conversed, expressed the opinion
shat the substitution o, q Commissioners for H.
was very iuiudicous move and really step backward
toward the old system, which woud, they believed by
making the machinery of the department complex
interfere with its Efficient management BY experience
IN the present Board constitution, had been
found that generally about out OF the twelve
actually did most OF the work, and that even
this number was larger than really necessary
~ the Commissioners could devote their whole time 10
work which they thought that they should he as
well compensated for their services as other CITY oeas
were. BY this plan five Commissioners sitting every
day and giving full personal attention to the business
OF the department could they believed administer It's az
fairs much more inteligenty and expeditiouSy than
large number with other matters TO occupy their ne
Even m the present Board with only twelve members,
great deal of red tape aud consequent delay is neceS
gary m the transaction OF business as everything must
be referred committee before action can be taken by
the Board which, best consumes several weeks IN III
yeatcatne, as the Commissioners meet regularly only
once in two weeks. This could all be obyiated they
rlam with a small Board sitting daily which could eX-
anime into matters at once, and take prompt action
when necessary BY this law they feel that the al
ready great embarrassment upon the rapid transaction
of the department business rs made much greater ana
can only prove detrimental TO the school system oil the
city As TO for this change they said they
were unable TO learn OF any, and that those
who appeared before the Legislature in opposition could
get satisfactory TO their questions Even II II
were only the present Commissioners II was
unnecessary every member OF the Board agreed In
writing 10 resign and allow the appointment of such
persons the party in power might choose The change
was made Notwithstanding, though it was deemed ad-
vIsable alter the method OF appointing the Commits
sioncrs by allowing them be chosen from the city at
large instead taking three from each Of the seven
school DISTRICTS first proposed, plan which has here
tOOre resulted frequently in the appointment OF men
whose only recommendations prominence as local
politicians II was also stated that the law seemed
20 have had very few supporters having been engineered
chiefly by four five men, only one OF whom received
place upon the new Board. The belief was also ex-
pressed by one that the bill passed mainly because
little interest manifested IN opposition 70 1t by
the people the city, who appeared to feel that they
were pOweress in the hands OF the politicians.
The Commissioners expressed themselves pleased
main with the appointments of the Mayor, and
duty faithfully. So far they concerned person
ally. the Commissioners said thatithey very willing
give up their positions, they involving
large amount OF labor with compensation and
little thanks, while taking much time from their own
business which suffered considerable in consequence
Other gentlemen who were visited expressed similar
the effect Of the change in the size OF the
Board and seemed TO feel that long the department
would have 10 be recognized again. That feature Of
tbe law giving the Board Of Education more control
the appointment of principals and vce-principals
of schools and virtually the power OF selecting them
which II had not now commended. as thus it was
Thought that these officers upon whom the efficiency Of
the schools depended largely would be more carefully
chosen than elected by the local board OF trustees
Jhasmuch as the measure has become law and the
change longer be prevented, and furthermore
The appointments Of the Mayor considered excellent
deemed best 10 accept the situation and give the
Board fair trial. in theihope that whatever faults
The new plan may develop Will to hasten the adop
ton Of some system that will be worthy Of the city.