The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-11
THE SCHOOL BOARD.

The letters of MIR. Marks and Mr.. Witt de-
clining their appointment to the ocnooi
Board, except on condition that further re-
forms are made, is demonstration IN the
right direction. Il certainly would be useless
for two Conservative members to enter the
board while the general sentiment OF the BODY
opposed to their views. The necessity for
further vacancies is imperative, and must be
responded to if there is any disposition left
to pay respect to the wishes OF the people ana
those who paythe taxes for the support OF the
schools.
In the reconstruction of the School Board
there are two great improvements to be looked
to, to be demanded by the people and to be
Welded by the authorities of the State.
The first of these, now prominent in the
minds of all, is the separation of the colors
in the schools, in respect both to pupils and
teachers, and the providing for colored chill
dren separate schools of strictly equal grades
and advantages with those enjoyed by the
whites: and the second is, the appointment
of strictly suitable persons as members OF
the School Board.
The first of these OF acts has been SO thor
oughly discussed Of late that nothing further
needs to be said upon the subject Upon the
second, the qualifications of school directors,
there is ye. much to be said.
These qualifications do not consist merely
in school education and general intelligence.
Much less do they consist in political posi-
ton. whether with or without education.
That a school director should be person OF
moderately good education will be admitted
by ALL however much the maxim may be vlo-
lated in the making Of appointments.
But there is an intellectual qualification
beyond this He should be experimentally
acquainted with schools, and acquainted with
school books, and with modes of teaching
and discipline. 1t is truly said, that one who
has been school teacher himself will-other
things being equal-make the best school
director.
But it is not necessary, nor expedient, that
such appointments should be limited to those
who have been practical teachers. The city
of New Orleans is tuil of persons of expert
ence, who are familiar with the conduct oil
schools, who keep themselves informed OF the
current Improvements in school books, SO TAI
as to be beyond the undue influence Of book.
publishers and their agents, and who are
capable of judging for themselves of the
merits of those employed in the schools,
without needing to be led by those who are
capable of judging. Many persons do not
realize the Importance of all this. Many,
among school directors themselves, are really
unconscious of how much there is of this
species of information, in which they are de-
ficient, and which they need to learn; but the
learning of which, from their past pursuits,
would be impossible. That anybody can be
a school director is not true, any more thar
that anybody can be teacher.
All readers will perhaps agree-in genera
at least-with the views expressed on this
point. But many will be found to disagree
with the assertion-which we have made ii
the second place-that no school director
should be practical politician or person Of
strong political feelings. Politics. and pc
litical feelings and opinions should have
nothing to do with schools. And it is simply
from the appointment OF politicians to tn
board that our schools have lost Character
The public schools are not legltimately
branch of government; they are social instl
tuition, which it is simply made the duty
the current government to sustain; which
should be administered and controlled b.
those who are locally interested in them, TO
which the best administrators should b.
chosen without reference to any consideration
but fitness, and in which the best praeticabl
teaching should be provided.
Especially should directors be chosel
without reference to their political creeds
and not to exert political or party lntiuenc
in their position, and not to hold watch owe
others of different opinions from themselves
And specially also should political office
holders be excluded from such appointments
because the same person should not hold tW
ces and for the much stronger reason tina
) as official persons they may exert over Ger
tain classes of their associates sort OF dicta
torial infuence-even though not espresso
in words-to which their positions, as mer
directors, should not entltle them.
The present board has members enoug
who fall under this category, and common az
probation of the proprieties should Undue
them to resign. We make no complain
against their politics. School directors mui
have their opinions, but political opinions al
one thing; official leadership and partisa
feeling is another and very different thing
The latter should be emphaticaly excluded
Go to ". G. Coyle 4 Co. for coal, Office Is