Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-10-18
NO.3--7S2.

bill provides for a tax of not less than
18 cents on a dollar of the grand list.
The commission has something to say
abou. poor teachers and places addi-
tional restrictions upon entrance into
the ranks of teachers. 1t acknowledges
the general worthlessness of the town
superintendency as at present managed.
Local Influences impair superintend-
ent's efficiency. 1t is hoped that by
a county supervision those who have
the schools in charge will be sufficient
ly removed from these influences to en-
able them to do their duty without fear
or favor. Under system of county
supervision it is thought that better and
more efficient officers can be secured.
Some of the advantages of county SUI
pervision are set forth. BY means Of
it men are paid salary which justifes
the requirement that they shall give
their whole attention to the schools.
In cases where fewer men are needed
for work better men can be secured.
In cases where teachers certificates
are to be revoked through proved inef.
iiciency, county supervisor is much
more likely to 10 this work than more
local officer. Consequently the grant
ing of licenses should be placed in the
hands of these county supervisors. The
change OF supervision will increase its
cost about Sll 900 In view of the
fact that about 5000, 900 are expended
annually for the support of schools in
the state, the commission does not think
that so slight an increase in cost should
stand in the way of the adoption OF the
change provided an improved supervis-
ion can be secured which will warrant
the making of the change. 1t is OBJ
jected that the field OF supervision is
made too large for any one man. But
it is not expected that there will be a
visitation of all the schools under some
exact method. The idea is to have Il.
person who can act with au-
thority when the need arises, and who
so far understands the schools in his
field that he act with judgment. The
field requiring special attentions found
among the smaller districts. He viii
learn what is to be done and how to do
i through acquaintance with teachers
md their records. In addition to his
other work he could visit schools and
earn of the condition of those he had
not time to visit in the towns through
which he might be travelling. The
,hange from a town to county uni
ormity of textbooks will be a saving
o the people. Good reasons appear to
he commission for changing the school
age and the school year. 1t seemed
desirable that the year should close
with the end of June. By this system
al accounts and returns can be made
lp at time when there is no school in
session. To get rid OF small districts
oy consolidation it is proposed to take
away the public money from such dis
ricts as have a small number of pupils.
This matter is left to the towns to reg
llate. 1t suggests that the towns in
which SO much pecuniary expense is
involved can be safely trusted to do this.
The fact is towns have this power now
cut neglect to use it. There are too
many local questions involved. In re-
gard to compulsory attendance the
commission thinks that the present law
5 sufficient and that the failure to use
{ is owing to a lack Of public sentiment
n the matter. 1t has provided that in
,raded school districts voters shall not
lct upon school matters outside. 1t is
lot time to tell how this new bill viii
,e treated or whether anything viii
ome of it.
Messsrs. McMahon q Chase who own
larVe modern creamery at Stowe. Vt.