Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-05-06
School Superintendent.

School superintendent.
At the meeting OF the Boone high school
board on "Wednesday evening they selected
Mr., Geo, /, Miller, Of Audubon, as superin-
tendent for the ensuing year MIR, Miller
Is man stu young, graduate oil the
Iowa Agricultural College and Tor seven
years past the successful principal OF the
Audubon schools and might have continu,
ed there indefinitely. His work there has
met the unstntcd praise OF educators OF
comprehensive ability IN the state. lie Is
a gentleman OF energy, capacity, courage
aud industry, qualities which bring success
in any walk In life, lie will remove his
family to Boone In short time and arrange
for the coming years work.
The above excerpt, from the
Boone Standard, will convey to
most of our readers the first intima-
ton of Prof, Miller's prospective
employment at that place. That
situation ollcres a more lucrative
salary than Audubon has given, and
in many respects is a more desirable
position. The complimentary notice
OF Mr.. Miller's attainments, ability
and industry are true in each particu-
lar, as is the statement OF his indorse-
ment for the position by eminent
educators. But there arises in our
mind the question, if his services are
solicited by the school board of
Boone, at the suggestion of such
men as State Superintendent, ]. w.
Akers, are they not worthy of an eft.
fort on the part of our school board
to secure his retention at this placer
Certainly no one will say that we
do not want the ablest teachers in
our schools. For the consideration
of few dollars Audubon should not
accept interior service in the educa-
tional department. Mr.. Miller's
identification with the public schools
of this place dates almost simultane-
ously with their organization, and
their high standing today is owing
to his ability, energy and indeiati-
gueablc industry. His seven years
labors have afforded ample oppor-
tunity to demonstrate the failure or
success of his methods, and we think
there is no one unwilling to accredit
him with having brought our
school system to a standard OF which
all are justly proud; and in mention
ing the prominent and successful
institutions of our enterprising and
thriving little city no one fails to cite
the well-graded, ably managed and
progressive high schools. There
are teachers in nearly every township
of the county who have graduated
from its halls, and whose present
success attests the thoroughness of
the education there received. In
these seven years of his service MIR.
Miller has formed an acquaintance
with the patrons of the school and
knowledge of the various DISPOSE
tons and individual characters Of his
pupils, which greatly assists him in
the intelligent discharge OF his duties.
HIS known methods have been ap.
proved by continued reelection,
while his reputation as disciplin-
arian is well established. In con-
sidering a possible successor to MIR.
Miller it must be remembered that
much of his or her time for the first
year must be employed in gaining
this intimate acquaintance Of patrons
and pupils. Men or women who
are capable Of assuming the superin-
tendency of graded school have
commendable aspirations to rise in
their calling, and instead OF hoping
to employ one who has held higher
position than this it may very rea-
sonably be expected that the new
superintendent will come from lesser
responsibilities, and the management
of the school would be necessarily
experimental, thus, in measure,
hazarding the success OF the schools
for an entire year. The cost OF a
years failure cannot be estimated by
less than years time lost to each OF
the attendants of the high school and
the disorganizing effects of an inef.
ficient chief in all other departments.
The new instructor may come with
head replete with theories, and
failing in discipline and practical
knowledge, be unable to do efficient
work in the school room, or ruling
with rod of iron, have smattering
of the common branches as his only
stock in store. These are few Of
the many chances hazarded in max
ing change, and argue very
strongly in favor OF retaining one
who has been well tried and not
found wanting, one who is evenly
balanced in all the necessary qualifi-
cations. The most successful schools
in the state are under the manage
ment Of superintendent who have
been long and successfully employed
because of their good work.
Under the management OF Prof.
Miller the Audubon schools are in a
most prosperous and progressive
condition. He is young man and
his future efforts will be attended by
even more satisfactory results than
already accomplished. We believe
the board will serve the best inter-
ests of the school by securing his re-
tention - if that is possible,