Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-01-15
COUNTY sUPERINTENDENTs.
[FOr the HERALD ]

ty Superintendent. Il is conceded that
the candidate should possess general intel
| ligence, aud since our superntendents
claim that il is rry necessary to examine
one before granting him license to teach,
| because this is the best means Of finding out
whether ho has the ability to do what he
PROPOSES to do, would ash, should not
the applicant for the Office of Superintend
ent Of Schools he examined for the same
reason II the examination Is 30 necessa-
~ 10 tho one case, why not in the other
say that examinations, 40 q means OF as
certaining good teachers, are not asuecess'
neither would they be means Of ascer-
tanning good uperintendents, but since
superintendeuts deem them 40 important,
] am in favor OF requiring them to pass
through the flint mill and procure
certificate before entering upon their du-
ties This method Of selecting them would
be ia harmony with other principles OF our
school system. And since there should be
good evidence Of general fitness as well as
qen eral, intelligence before a man should be
eligible to the Office of superintendent, l
would recommend that the examinations
of applicants should be free only to such
n, the trustees and teachers in Institute
assembled might see ct to recommend
Since these examinations would be com
petitive, there should he not less than
three nor more than five persons recon-
mended. The examination for County SUI
perintendents being assumed, tho exam
lining board might consist of the state Su-
perintendent, with the principal Of some
Normal or High school nearest tho points
whore examinations are to he held. These
examinations should take place IN the
several judicial districts at the points most
convenient of access, aud shoulh extend
not only to the branches taught, but should
be rigid in the theory aud practice Of
teaching.
At present, what is required of an APP
plicant TO be eligible to the Office of SUI
perintcndent of Schools 7 lie must be one
Of the " best people" j. e, he must be a
democrat.
| At present, it seems to an observer that
it is political Office, and politician is AZ
likely to be appointed as an experienced
and successful teacher.
This is all wrong; hence the school law
here is defective.
! Since the success Of the free school sys-
tenn depends very much upon the energy,
ability. and influence of the County Su-
perintendent, he should be a strong advo-
cate of FREQ education should be man
Of high literary qualifications, and should
also be acquainted with tho best methods
Of imparting instruction in the several
branches taught in the schools. Here,
then, the principal of civil service reform
comes in, and think our educational
work is fine place for its Inauguration.
The appointing power should no longer
be left with the State Board Of Education
for tho reason that it is simply piece Of
routine business subject to n variety OF
local influence which upon every change
OF an administration inspires an army OF
claimants for the position, engrossing the
time Of the officers Of said board with their
! opportunities. and filling the air with the
tumult Of their discomfort.
The principle upon which tho law en-
| forcing civil service reform is based applies
the test Of fitness TO applicants for public
positions by mean, of competitive exam
nations, and therefore suggest that tho
school law be so amended As to require
| County superintendents to be examined
| The examination should be In writing, and
the State Superintendent shonld report
the result to the Governor rs ex-officio
president Of the State Board Of Education,
who should issue to the candidate possess
ing the highest literary and other qualih-
cations. certificate Of appointment as
| County Superintendent for the four years
next ensuing.
That have suggested the best method
Of selecting County superintendent,
will not say but will say that our aim
in the choIco Of new method should be
to keep personal profit and prejudice in
the back ground, to protect the rights OF
the people. and to advance the education
| al work in the State This method would
NJ least take the question out Of politics.
| The points TO he urged are that we shonld
have the very best talent possible, and
that no outside influence should interfere
! TO prevent this.
bring this question before the people
because think the defect in the school
law relating to the selection Of County
! Snperintendonts demands change in tho
method and not because ! object TO the
appointment Of any Of the gentlemen who
are ut present aspiring to the Office. The
! gentleman who il most likely to get it,
will make us in many respects good SUI
perinfendent. lie may not devote AZ
many hours in the school room overseeing
and directing the work Of the inexpcri-
enced teacher as some one else might, but
he will in the main do efficient work.
Before conclude, | must digress a little
by asking for the application Of civil ser
vice reform to the number and quality OF
subordinate school officers in the county.
From school Directors, the fsh'rorm trus-
tees. and sndir in the grass, | hope civil
service reform may soon deliver our
schools. Don't understand me to say that
I want our schools delivered from the
hands of the experienced. efficient, and
intelligent trustees. Far from this. We
have a number Of most excellent trustees
in the county, who should be retained ana
paid for their services but the fshrorm
fellows should be relieved at once. for 1t is
morally wrong to ask them to serve IN
position in which their wriggling and
.quirming is not at all needed.
OBSERVER.
II faithfully used, Ayers Sarsaparilla
will remove the scrofulOus faint in what
| GUAR form, ~ NAV exiat