Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-17
sUPERINTENDENT's FINAL REPORT
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JULY /, 90.

BOARD OF EDUCATION. - Gentlemen =
In my last report l endeavored to show
the necessity of each student 8 being sup
piled with appropriate textbooks !
pointed out the evils arising from irregu.
lar attendance, as we'll as the great mis-
take parents make in allowing their
together and, finally, l advocated, in
unequivocal terms, compulsory educs-
ton in West Virginia.
In this. my final report for the year
my duties are somewhat different. 1t
now devolves upon me to give brief re-
same of the work done in the school year
just drawing to a close to recommend
the appointment of teachers for the en-
suing year and to discuss the important
question of teachers salaries.
The years work, in the High School,
has been quite satisfactory. The teach
ers have all labored faithfully in the dis
charge of their duties, while the students
have been, to an unusual degree, prof.
Gent in their recitations, as well as quiet
and orderly in their department. /,
therefore, most earnestly request the re-
appointment Of the present corps of
teachers for the High School.
We have, through the united efforts of
Senator Faulkner and the Board of Edu-
cation, together with the Superintendent,
succeeded in laying the foundation of an
excellent library in the High School.
The generous support, in the future,
of the friends of education will Sc
cure to us library of which the city
may justly be proud.
We have two well organized literary
societies in the High School, one in the
first assistants room, and one in the
principals room. In the principal s
room, every student is required to take
part in the literary exercises and each
one, by the arrangement of a perpetual
schedule, is obliged to perform once in
three weeks, and to perform in regular
order on the classes, which consist of De-
clamation, Essay, Grafton, and Debate,
with the single exception that students
on the Grafton class are permitted to SUBJ
stitute therefor either Defamation or Es-
say. No student in the principals de-
partment failed to perform his duty in
the literary society within the present
school year.
The graduating class numbers twelve,
seven girls and five boys. The public
will be afforded. on commencement
night, an opportunity to form, at least,
some idea of the advancement our
students have made in literary attain
ments.
In the capacity of superintendent, l am
allowed one-half day per month to visit
Ward Schools. My time being thus limi-
ted, it is impossible for me to spend any
thing like the length of time in the indi-
vidual rooms OF the several schools of the
city, which would be required to Judge
of the merits or defects of the
methods of instruction employed therein.
Inasmuch. therefore, as the pupils in the
A classes in the principals department
of the different schools appear before me
in the annual examination for promotion
to the High School, | deem it proper to
spend the greater portion of my time in
testing the proficiency of these pupils,
and noting the character Of instruction
which they receive at the hands of their
several teachers.
From the most careful and critical OBJ
which l have been able to
make, and with an eye single to the con-
tinued prosperity of our schools, do not
hesitate to recommend the re-appoint-
ment of the present corps of principals.
LII W lAlC IcdCutf5.
let me say that the principals under
whom these teachers have been employ
ed, have every opportunity Of judging
Alright of the competency or incompe-
tency of their respective assistants. l,
therefore, suggest that each principal be
held responsible for the re-appointment
or retirement. as the case may be, of his
assistant teachers.
On the salary question. / invariably
define my position in unmistakabie
terms. Ny motto has always been. Pay
the teacher well, then require Of him
efficient service. "Cheapnessn
says writer, begets adulteration in
articles of commerce. The information
impaired by cheap teacher VIII be Of a
diluted character, or adulterated with
very specious mixture of half truths.
There are, however, men in this, as in
almost every other community. who
would rejoice in the overthrow Of the
Tree school system. and who would open
y advocate its abolition. were it not that,
ike Demetrius, the silversnith Of old,
hey know that their s. craft is in danger
% be set at nought." Such are the per-
IONS who wish six or seven months