The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-03-30
For the Jeffersonian.
A Few Thoughts on School Affairs

We have been called upon to listen to and read
many suggestions and much very good advice as
to the relative responsibilities and duties of the
teachers and pupils in our public schools. In
fact 1t is made standing dish and las been hash
ed and rehashed at every teachers institute and
educational meeting for q time 30 long that the
memory Of man runneth not to the contrary"
All this is very well. Both teachers and scholars
should be taught, not only TO know, but to care
fully observe while they are brought together in
the common intercourse of school life, their rela-
tive obligations to each other. But while so much
is being said and written on this topic, would it
not be well 10 call attention occasionally to others
equally interesting? AS for instance the duties of
parents in regard TO our schools and their obliga
tons to both teacher and scholar.
We start out with the supposition that every
parent in the district is desirous that his children
receive st least good common school education;
and in order that this may be attained he will
look to it that all the conditions are favorable
As he is of course concerned in his children's
cou fort, his first care will be to see that sub
stantial and comfortable school house is provided
Then the necessary books are furnished. And
lastly he wishes that a competent teacher be
chosen to instruct them. In this matter he will
however, find himself under some restraint
As II Is not desirable that all the parents ir the
district participate in selecting the teacher the
law has provided that they shall elect three of
their number for this purpose. Now it is evident
that the best interests of the district requires the
election TO the Office OF director of three men in
whom the district can eonfide its trust, knowing
that they possess the qualifications necessary
to enable them to act efficiently. And when
parents wilIfully fail TO choose such persons to
act for them, they have fallen short of their duty
and have no right to complain Of the acts of in
men, whom they have either helped TO
elect or by their passive negligence permitted to
be elected. In the choice of directors no petty
spite, or jealousy, or neighborhood chickering's
should influence the action of any elector; but
with malice toward none, but charity for al"
he should exercise his right an eleetor so as in
his honest judgement, to best promote the inter-
ests of the district Having done this he is willing
TO abide by heir action IN matters pertaining to
the school, although Il may be that at times their
judgment in regard 70 certain transactions may
differ very material from his own.
One of the most important powers which are
delegated to the directors by the vote of the dis
trict Is the power Of selecting teachers. In the
exercise Of this lower they ought not to be in
uenced by any motive OF favo-itism or self inter
est but rather TO surrender their own preferences
when they conflict with the known wishes of a
ma ority OF the district unless they are convinced
by their calm honest Judgment, and the superior
they possess in regard 20 individual
hAracter. that such q surrender would be de-
Irmenal TO the prosperity of the school. Al
though the directors are by no means obliged to
consult the wishes of or ask for advice from any
outside parties and may rely entirely upon thei,
own convictions of duty in the matter, yet it il
probably best to ascertain the general wish of the
district, and then from among the candidates for
preference all other considerations being equal,
select the one who will most nearly satisfy this