Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-03-11
FROM DUMMERSTON.
CONDITION OF SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN FOR THE
PAST YEAR.

CONDITION OF SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN FOR THE
PAST YEAR.
Many persons who are interested in the
welfare Of our schools do not have the oppor-
tunity of listening to the report made atthe an
nual March meeting. Moreover, what is then
and there read blythe superintendent is often
miseonstrued or misunderstood. The sug-
gestions made are based on facts gathered
from personal visitation of the schools, and
IL not needed or adopted as a rule Of action
the amount of reform that the report effects
is Of very little service. Ten districts have
maintained schools during the year amount
ing to twenty-one terms, taught by seventeen
different teachers, three males and fourteen
females. Nearly all the summer schools and
all the winter, were reported successful. In
several there was decided improvement. No
teacher failed~to continue through the term
commenced, yet in one or two instances the
schools were not what we desire, owing to a
lack Of vitality or energy and lack of prop
or discipline. We have often said that the
first requisite for a good school is a good
teacher. He must be competent to govern
and give character to the school No one
tlhb thu DbIlOElll ilhl uuN1 ~ MOh ha Nno
teacher himself. He must keep the school.
Advice or assistance, when teacher is def.
cient, will not supply that deficiency. In re-
porting the condition of schools and teachers
qualifications at the annual March meeting
the superintendent has endeavored to do his
duty impartially, being divested of all mo-
tives beyond the success Of the schools. The
broad mantle of charity has been used for
those who did not come up to the standard Of
excellence desired, and even some Of the more
conspicuous errors have been carried to the
credit side of the account knowing that in
many instances the best directed efforts are
of no avail, the circumstances OF failure be-
ing beyond the control and beyond the reach
of the teacher. But where no baleful infiu-
ences exist, and the teacher who has fair field
in which to operate, shall neglect duties which
ought to be performed, or do things prejudi-
cial to the interests of the school, or with
good intent fail in aptness TO teach, it is the
duty of the superintendent to speak Of such
matters in no doubtful manner, that the dis
trict may govern themselves accordingly there
after. On the other hand, when teacher
shows good qualifications, industry and apt
ness in teaching, it is his duty, not only to
the district where employed, but to the teach
er, that it should know that such teacher
merits the appreciation of the committee.
The law states that sit shall be the duty of
the town superintendents TO visit all sUch
common schools within their respective towns
as shall be organized according to law at
least once in each year, and oftener il they
shall deem it necessary" According to this
law the superintendent is not obliged to visit
any school that is not organized according TO
law. school taught by teacher not prop
| erly licensed is not legal school, for the law
declares that every instructor of district
school shall obtain of the town superintend-
ent of such town a certificate Of his quRlifca-
tions before he opens such school" Nor is
the superintendent obliged TO visit each term
of school taught in the district IL it be deem
ed not necessary. All the schools have been
visited the past year as the law requires, each
term OF school being visited twice except
where it was not deemed necessary, and the
second visit would have been made therein
had opportunity favored. The school in No.
West did not receive a second visit The
teacher Of the second term had taught two
other schools in town during the year which
had been visited three times, and knowing
that she was competent it was thought safe
to intrust her with one term OF school with
out supposing any one would accuse the su-
perintendent of being remiss in his duty.
The summer school in this district was not
organized according to law, nor was the one
in No. 6 yet both schools we're visited and
certificates carried to the teachers. In the
| first instance there was no good reason why
the teacher might not have been licensed be-
fore beginning her school in the second
case il was doubtful complaint comes
| from No West that the superintendent has
neglected to visit that school the past winter.
| The facts are that he has visited the school
| tioice, once in the forenoon and and once in
the afternoon that it was not legally organ
lied, the teacher not being properly licensed
until she had taught nine weeks; that he
wrote to the committee asking for informa-
ton, promising visit at the earliest oppor-
tunity after hearing from him the particulars,
and that certificate was granted when called
for and carried to the teacher, which makes
the fourth time that he has carried certificates
to teachers in that district in as many years.
If this thing goes on much longer somebody
will accuse him of peddling teachers certif
Gates. Owing to somebody's delay the dis
tricts do not draw any public money this
year. Possibly the superintendent is charge
able for the misfortune. We have stated the
case, and every minded person is at liber
ty to judge for himself. We do not com.
plain of criticism, just or unjust. We desire
that the truth shall be known. Only this and
nothing more.
d. L. MANSFIELD, iSuDL