The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-30

summarized as follows: ~ Danger of th,
embezzlement of township funds; i2) danger o.
frauds in the purchase of furniture, apparatus
and supplies and in the expenditure of township
funds; t31 danger OF wastefulness or penurious
ness in furnishing the schools with supplies; IA
lack OF wise and constant oversight of teachers
(5) lack of fearless discharge OF duty in select
ing teachers: (6l lack of strong, wise and fear
less men to fill the Office of trustee. Following
the report the committee submitted the follow
ing resolutions. which were almost unanimously
adopted by the association, after considerable
discussion, Prof. John nj. Bloss stating that the
committee was supported in its views by both
the retiring and incoming State Superintend
entS:
Resolved, That we hereby affirm our faith In thu
township system and our belief that it is the best thus
far devised for the management of the district schools
OF the State.
Resolved, That the present plans of township or
ganization, whereby the management of the school at
fairs of the township are placed in the hands of a sin
gle trustee. should be maintained.
Resolved. That the success of this system. as of any
other. will depend largely on what the people make it,
and will become m ore efficient as the people come to
elect only honest and competent men to fill Office.
Resolved, That the danger of the abuse of office may
be lessened, and its administration rendered more eff
fective by amending existing laws in the following re
spects: The term of office Of trustee should he in
creased, and he should enter upon his duties on the
first Monday of August. The powers of the county
board of education should be increased, and all sup
plies should be purchased under it's direction and con.
troll. Greater publicity should be given to the &C
counts of the trustee. The trustees should be held to
q more faithful discharge of their duties in the matter
of %selecting teachers and overseeing the schools; and,
Whereas. The Superintendent of Public Instruction
has made the following recommendations to the Leg
islature: ID The term of Office should be extended
to four years. Half of the townships of each county
should elect at one time and the other two years later.
The trustee should be paid a fixed salary, proper
toned to the amount of his labor and responsibility.
CD All school furniture, apparatus and supplies
should be adopted and prescribed by the county board
OF education, and prices of the same fixed by said
board in contract with dealers, and trustees should be
prohibited from purchasing any furniture, apparatus
and supplies other than those pr escribed by the board
and at prices agreed upon. (3) No order, or prom
Use to pay, issued by a trustee. should be binding on
the township, or possess any validity unless recorded
within ten days of its date in a book kept at the Office
of the county auditor. and open to public inspection,
and unless certified by the auditor as so recorded.
a. Trustees should be requested to publish an an
moneys. 90 The Office of director should be abol-
ished, and the trustee should be made responsible for
the safe keeping of the school houses and property,
with power to employ as ~janitor for each house a re-
liable person living in the neighborhood; and the
trustee should be required to visit each of his schools
at least twice every school year. Therefore,
Resolved, That we heartily indorse these recon-
mendations, and urge their adoption by the Legis-
lature.
The association then adjourned until 2:3O
o'clock in the afternoon.