Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-09-15
OUR SCHOOLS.


ton has occurred, and the legislature |!
is soon to convene, there should be |
some radical changes made in our
school policy. That the bill chang
ing the district to the town system of
schools was defeated at the last ses-.
sion; can only be accounted for by
the conservative character Of the peo-
pie of our state, and must be deplor-
ed by ali those who wish for the best
good of the rising generation. There
may have been some imperfections
in the bill as brought before our leg
islators but it certainly was move
in the right direction. There are two
points in our system which should be
changed at the coming session of the
legislature, viz: from the district to
town system, and from town to coun-
ty uperintendents.
In respect to the town system there
is no need to speak to those who
have investigated the matter, but lest
some of your readers have failed TO
take the time to inform themselves
in this regard, we will give a few
reasons why it should be adopted 1t
is not an experiment in our state, for
several towns have conducted their
schools oil this plan for years and
the report of better schools at the
same or less expense has constantly
been made. The taxation of the
town is more evenly divided, and the
grade of the schools more uniform.
AS many school districts are now, the
only question which dominates, is
that Of expense, and the usual result
is lack of well educated children.
Some one inexperienced and young
weeks droned through by the pupils,
and no interest is awakened. We
ought to awake from the sleep of the
past two decades, during which the
states about us have far outstrippeG
us in improved school methods, while
) we are not far from our starting
: point. If Vermont Is to raise meI
she must educate them better thar
r other states can or will. In the state:
west of the Mississippi they fairl,
S shame US in their school work
e though they are young and poor
: lThe territory of Dakota. even, coult
n give a much more interesting schoo
e exhibit than our own loved state
S and yet she is not yet admitted t
the Union.
e In regard to county, instead Q
S town superintendent, which we no.
It have, there is much to be said. /
# the first place the superintendent
wonld be chosen for two years an
l. therefore would know better the prog
% ress made than if chosen every yeal
"a The work would require his whol
1t time, and it is reasonable to suppos
O that his ability would be above til
h average of the town superintendent
is therefore he could do much bette
work than can now be done. TT
l. salary which the county could affol
Ill to pay would command live men, WI
ID could find live teachers, which al
lg our great need.
Again, through this general supe
D. intendence, the work of the count
It. would be more uniform and poi
st teacher would be obliged to 60 o.
SO of the county before he received a
e. other certificate. New ideas al
e, friendly competition between Il
at schools would be induced. In ia
ed the right man in this position won
of be great inspiration to the hundre
of teachers and scholars of the cou
s. ty. We might also be benefited
law restricting the committee fro
- employing u relative. if any taX-pay
- should object.
A. III.