The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-07-27
Teachers Elected.-School Boards
Queer Proceeding.

The following corps Of teachers was select
ed a; 4 meeting ofthe Borough School Board
last Wednesday evening 70 teach in the pub
lie schools Of the town the ensuing term at
the salaries named: Principal. f. f. Pritts,
SOS; room No. !, f. S. Frease, S45; room
No. ., Cora Knepper, $40; room No. 3. c.
+. Uhl, S35; room No. 4. Emma ]. Huston,
! s35; room No. ;, Ella X Vogel, $40 room
No 6, Kate Snyder, 50 room No. :. Ed
ward Berkey, S35; room No. 5, Mary Fleck,
Sc4 room No. ., Mrs. Mary J. Connolly,
S35. The salary of the principal was adj
vanced SO and those of the other teachers
- per month over the salaries paid last ses-
sion.
We have not heard a word of criticism
against the personnel Of the corps OF teach
ers selected, bgt we haYe heard some very
harsh criticism on the action Of the Board
OF Directors in setting aside an usually well
qualified teacher simply because a number
Of the patrons Of the school disapproyed of
her methods Of punishment
The teacher of room No. /, the room in
which the graduating class receive their f.
nal instruction, last session was in charge Of
the peer of any public school teacher in
Somerset county young lady who gradu-
ated with honors at one of the most
popular State Normal Schools and who was
pronounced by the faculty of that institu-
ton one OF the best equipped teachers they
had ever graduated. She received special
instruction in the methods of teaching and
was granted diploma that will secure her
recognition anywhere in the land This
year she was again an applicant for a school
in Somerset borough and was elected assist
ant principal ian empty honor by the
Board Of Directors. who in their wisdom
deposed her from teaching the classes she
is so amply qualified to teach and elected
her to instruct tie children Of minor
school.
We are reliably informed that no specific
charges were preferred against this teacher
and that no investigation was made by the
Board of Directors of the allegations
brought against her in regard to the meth
DDS Of punishment she adopted.
Her successor may possibly be as well
qualified to teach as she. but the presump-
ton is in her favor, not only on account OF
her superior a;tainments but on account Of
the ability she has manifested in teaching
the higher branches. 1t is expecting almost
too MICH Of teacher 10 teach branches in
which be himself is not qualified If the
board ei directors desire to understand this
more clearly we would suggest that they
visit the schools more frequently in the
future than they have in the past.
II there is one thing above all others in
which the people should act in harmony and
without bias through personal considerations
OF friendship, it IS in the matter Of selecting
teachers for their children II is perhaps
the grAvest responsibility they are called
upon to assume in life, and if they neglect
to assume it they, and they only. can be
held responsible for the failures and wrecks
thar may cross their paths in future days
4 mistake IN this particular Is crime and
the punishment imposed is the most severe
that can be dealt TO mortal.
An awful responsibility rests upon the
Board OF School Directors. and their first and
most important duty lies in selecting teach
ers who are qualified to teach the scholars
placed under their care.
The action Of the Board last Wednesday
evening in this matter clearly win not tend
to subject them to the criticism Of setting a
premium upon brains.