Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-23
TINE AMERICAN ScHOOI SvSrEu.
How the Common Schools are MANAGED
In This Country.
BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND THEIR POWERS
HOW SUPERINTENDENT AND TEACHERS ARE
APPoINTED-A SYSTEM THAT PREVAILS
THROUGHOUT THE UNION.

BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND THEIR POWERS
HOW sUPERINrENDENTs AND TEACHERS ARE
APFoINrED-A SYSTEM THAT PREVAILS
THROUGHOUT THE UNION.
at is an almost universal rule In this coun-
try" said an official of the bureau OF education,
70 whom STAR reporter applied for informa-
ton, shat the schools are managed by boards
Of education, who control expenditures choose
their own officers, the superintendent and
teachers, and are independent bodies That
is the general rule. II there are any excep-
tions, cannot call them to mind now. That is
the American system OF managing schools.
You will see," continued the gentleman REFER
ring to rows Of school board reports nom differ
ent states, which filled the shelves in his Of
nee, "that these boards are composed generally
multiple OF three The rule is that one-third
retire or complete their Official term every year.
These boards are chosen q rule directly by the
ment OF the schools. Special taxes are levied
for the support Of the schools and collected by
the funds thus collected are entrusted to the
school boards for disbursement There
is, OF course, difference In nomenclature. In
some states the school BOARD is called the board
OF education In others the board OF trustees,
the board OF school commissioners, or school
organisation and principle Of government is
the same In all. In some cities each ward IL
represented In the school board. The superin-
chosen by the board. In the cases OF many
larger cities there is also deputy superinten-
Gent Originally, when common schools were
nrst established, each school WAS managed by
the people themselves, the inhabitants of the
district in which the school was located. Then
combined special ofncers were chosen 10 look
after the schools. Throughout the whole
American public school system you will find
mens as far as possible from political influences
THE AMERICAN METHOD.
The following general statement OF the
appears In pamphlet, issued by the bureau of
EDUCATION, entitled "A Statement of the Theory
OF Education In the United States of America,
as approved by many Leading Educators"
designates the various kinds OF schools to be
supported SUPP and managed by the public author
i Iess ai iSe sometimes prescrioes more or
created, divided or consolidated with
raised by or for them; prescribes their orSanisa.
tion, Officers and their powers and the time and
manner of filling and vacating offices and the
age ana conditions of attendance and provides
In some cases Tor the investment and applica-
ton OF the school funds derived from the gem
eral government The local municipalities or
ganize school districts under state laws,
elect school officers and levy and
The local school officers examine. appoint and
NIX the salaries of teachers when not otherwise
done, build school houses procure school sup
rules and regulations for the government of the
schools, and administer the schools
IN THE DETERRENT STATES
Another publication, issued by the bureau,
containing the Proceedings of the Department
Of Superintendent of the National Educational
association at its meeting at Washington, ID. c.,
February, $780," contains an appendix which
summarizes various matters relating to the
common school systems under the different
state laws This shows that the chief educa-
tional officer OF the state is known variously as
state superintendent or state commits
people or the state board of education,
appointed by the governor elected by the
legislature. The state boards consist generally
educational character In some cases the board
comprises such officials and other members
CHOSEN by the legislature: The CHIEF educa
tonal officer of the county is known in different
parts oil The country as county superintendent,
county examiner or county commissioner.
The modes OF appointment Of this officer differ
very much. In some states the county super
intendent Is appointed by the state superin-
tendent; In Others by the county court; In
others by the governor; in Others by the county
board or township trustees, while In Others
he ne is chosen directly by the people:
1ne county boards In some cases are com posed
OF the superintendent and certain teachers. In
Georgia the members OF the county board are
G indse q, py tne grand jury In MARYLAND the
OF the county board, who appoint the superin-
tendent and confirm the appointments OF
teachers. The county board Is appointed some
times by the state board, aud sometimes is
composed oil certain county officials designated
by law. In Mississippi the members of the
guardians of children, and in Ohio they are ap-
pointed by the probate Judge.
THE DISTRICT TRUSTEES.
The district trustees usually appoint teachers,
or where they do not appoint, recommend their
appointment to the county board. These trus-
tees are chosen generally by the people, though
in some instances they are appointed by the
selectmen or the county board. Except i'm Ala
bama where the teachers appointed by the
township superintendent, the teachers are APP
pointed and removed when necessary by the
Tins Is an outline OF the school systems of the
various states as regulated by the state laws.
THE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
"Circular of Information, No. I, 1885, issued
by the bureau OF education, containing an elab-
crate account of the city school systems In the
United States prepared by John d. Philbrick,
the cities are controlled and managed by local
boards variously designated. but for the most
M The eeo renega he opinions ana viii
elected by popular vote. 1.-The aim Of the most
Intelligent friends of our schools" the
their administration so far as practi.
cable from the influence of party politics"
For the most part, the circular says, school
boards are invested with authority TO manage
whatever relates to instruction within the
limits prescribed by law, and to control the ex-
penditure OF the funds legally provided there
for They have the power to certificate, elect and
dimiss teachers and Tx their compensation.
they determine the grading and courses OF
study of the schools, prescribe textbooks, make
regulations for admission Of pupils, for promo
ton and for graduation, but are not empowered
to establish schools or to provide for instruc-
ton not authorized by law; neither have they
the custody and disbursement of the school
moneys. There are however, cities in which