The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-03-13

prises, large percentage of the whole
expense is given to oversight and direc
ton, and that where this is neglected
financial disaster is the consequence.
"7. That wherever this subject has
been thoroughly and impartially investi-
gated by the people, the almost unani-
nous opinion is that faithful and earnest
supervision of the common schools of the
whole State is vitality essential to pro-
gress.
"In consideration of the principles and
facts above stated, be it
"Resozved, That this convention, CON-
posed Of friends of education and teach
ers, do hereby respectfully and earnestly
recommend the adoption of a system of
responsible supervision in every county
of the State"
Before the convention adjourned a
committee, consisting of Aston Ellis, of
Hamilton, John Hancock, of Dayton, and
| Charles W. Oakes, of Norwalk, was ap-
pointed to prepare circular, convenient
for distribution, setting forth the neces-
sity of immediate legislative action in
behalf of rural schools indicating and
advocating those reforms that are most
needed, and showing how the system of
administration now in operation in town
ship schools can be simpliGed and made
more serviceable in promoting the edu-
cational interests Of the people while, at
the same time, effecting a more econom-
| ical expenditure of school funds.
The members of the committee feel
that their labors have been materially
lessened by the appearance of the able
pamphlet of Hon. James J. Burns, State
Commissioner of Common Schools, on
| Our Schools and School Systems" which
has been extensivly circulated and which
contains, il clear and forcible language,
| just such information regarding the
workings Of our school system as school
patrons and tax payers will read with
appreciation. In reports Of former School
Commissioners may be found abundant
material strongly to fortify all the posi-
tions that the committee may take in
| reference to the condition of our ungrad-
ed schools and the legislation now i'm
peratively demanded to insure their
greater efficiency and their more econom-
ical administration.
Enlightened public sentiment now re-
cognizes the need of such legislation as
will abolish our present complicated sys-
tenn of school management, as seen in
the workings of township and sub district
boards of education. and establish in its
stead pure township organization. This
legislation would prepare the way for
placing the township schools of each
county under the supervision of a county
superintendent of schools. These two
changes in our school machinery would
necessarily bring about other highly
desirable changes in school administra,
ton, which will be pointed out
and commented on under the proper
headings The work of the committee
will be confined to the presentation of
arguments in favor of the two changes
before mentioned and to an attempt to
answer some of the objections most
strenously urged against them.
THE SUB DISTRICT SYSTEM.
At the outset it must be admitted that
the subdistrict system with all its draw
backs and imperfections has been held
in high esteem by the people Of Ohio. Its
popularity is partly evidenced by the
fact that although our present school law
allows the people to change the sub
district for the township system, with an
organization similar to that found in
village school districts, the change is
rarely made. 1t must not be forgotten,
however, that the people have rarely
been called upon to express their views
as to the relative merits of the two sys-
tens at the polls.
1t may not be amiss in this connection
to define what is meant by pure town
ship system such as it is proposed to adj
vocate in these pages. At present there
is a township board of education, COM
posed of the township clerk and the
clerks Of the varions sub district boards,
in each township. This board does not
have exclusive control over the schools
OF the township The school law divides
0f NJ
in a township between the township
board and the sub district boards in such
a way as to produce much confusion,
since it is no easy matter to determine
the exact duties of each Abolish the
sub-dstrict boards and give to township
board, composed of certain number of
members elected from the township at
large, the whole control of the townships
school interests and the result would be
what appropriately may be termed pure
township system.
The one who examines our school sta.
tistics will be surprised to find more than
10000 school officers controlling schools
in which but Is, 900 teachers are employ
ed There is no good purposes subserved
bv this army of school directors The
management of the schools would be
much more efficient were the total num-
to six or seven thousand. This reduction
can not be made so long as the ten or
eleven thousand sub districts are organ
lied as at present. There are now / BAT
townships in Ohio. By giving the entire
control of the schools in each township
to township board of education com
posed of five members there would still
be ,735 school officers to look after the
interests of township schools. Even
were each sub district to have represen-
tative in the township board-a plan
strongly recommended by some-the
number of school officers would not
equal one fourth of the present number.
1t seems almost unnecessary to say
that the we'll being of our country schools
| demands less machinery, and less fric
ton in its movements, than the present
double-headed system of township and
sub district management imposes upon
us. Those who find cause for outcry
whenever the wants of the people re-
| ouire the services of new official should
| be the first to advocate plan by which
| a multitude Of unnecessary officers can
| be dispensed with and especially so
when experience and reason show that
! the efficiency of that branch of public
service under which schools are estab-
lished and controlled would be greatly
enhanced thereby. The duties and pow
ers of township and sub district boards
are not clearly defined in the school law,
and as result there is a constant ques-
ton of right and authority whenever the
payment of teachers, the selection of
sites, the building of school houses, and
the making of contracts are subjects for
action on the part of school authorities.
Hon. Thomas w. Harvey, formerly
State Commissioner of Common Schools,