Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-11-01
Educational Hearings.

The large committee room was filled Tuesday
evening to hear what might be said for or against
Senator Towards bill to abolish the district sys-
TEN and establish the town system of schools.
Mr. Smith of Pittsford opened the discussion by
reading letter from an individual from " the
only town In his county which had adopted the
town system" This gentleman said the town was
sick of the system and objected to 1t because it
takes children from local control and places them
under general management. DR.. Jones of
Waitsfied was called out and proceeded to give
the committee detailed account OF the practical
working Of the new system in his town. Waits
field adopted the town system in 1871. Its early
adoption was carried by small majority against
a strong and active opposition. The first year or
two the administration Of the new system was at
tended with some friction, but more general
satisfaction with the change began to appear in
course of time. The number of weeks OF school
WAS gradually extended from twenty-four to
thirty, and in the sixth year of the adoption OF the
new system this action of the board was ratified
in town meeting with little opposition. In the
spring of 1881 the question OF the readoption OF
the town system came up and was carried by a
vote of three to one, many OF the active opponents
OF the first adoption having become strong
friends Of the system and were satisfied that in
the adoption of the system the town had taken
the wiser course. Among the benefits con-
ferred by the system had been uniform TAX
alton for school purposes, an equal share in
the benefits and burdens. There was no CEN
traization of power or benefits On the con-
trary, the smaller and weaker schools had
been strengthens and brought up to standard
of excellence more nearly uniform with the larger
sch ols longer tenure OF office by the direc-
tors under the town than was accorded to COM
mittees under the district system is another Of
the benefits realized in Waitsfeld. The expert
ence thus acquired is a decided gain to the town.
Under the district system annual rotation OF COM
mittees was the rule. Greater degree oil per-
manency In teachers is one of the beneficial re-
suits under the town system. An idea had pre-
vailed that teacher might succeed fairly well
the first term but would be less successful on
the second and subsequent trials This idea in
their experience had been proved TO be great
mistake. They kept their teachers term after
term changed them from one district to another
| il circumstances rendered such change advisable.
Thus the school work was improved. The schools
understood the teachers and the teachers the
schools Town superintendent from timidity or
other reasons do not report on the true merits of
a school or teacher. The director who under
| the town system holds the office Of superinten-
dent holds the office many years, and having a
board of directors to maintain him in his action,
| expresses his mind more freely aud acts more in
dependently. This feeling OF a support in his
associate directors is great advantage TO SUI
| perintendent and consequently to the schools.
The doctor cited as an illustration of the per-
manency OF tenure OF office under the town sys-
TEN that one Of the directors In his town had
| held the office nine years, others six years, and
WAS emphatic In his assurance that this was
worth something TO towns 1t was in strong con-
trast with school administration under the dis
trct system when officers, committees and super
intendent were yearly rotated out, leading to i'll
efficiency. Under the town system matters were
managed according TO good business principles.
The financial aspect OF the question was satisfac-
torily explained by DIR. Jones. He cautioned
people against being in too great haste TO realize
benefits. They will increase as time goes on.
A more peaceful administration Of school matters
il also the result OF the adoption of the new sys-
tenn. Friction is more easily gotten along with, and
in any difficulties that have arisen the efficiency
OF the schools is not impaired as Is ap. to be the
case under prudential committees MI. Chids OF
Bennington read communication from Underhlll
opposing the town system the ground Of central
ization, affording opportunities for rings and
cliques, for jobs and favoritsm. DR.. Jones showed
that these things have and do flourish under the
district system, but that in a town meeting the
better sentiment was more likely TO be felt, and
rings, cliques and jobs had less chance to pre-
vail there than in district school meetings. DR..
Jones remarks were replete with information on
this subject, and we regret that our space admits
OF only so brief an abstract. Having been him
self ON the board Of directors in Waitsfield foI
many years and superintendent of schools during