The Somerset reporter., 1896-01-16
State Board of Education.

The committee Of the council of the
Pedagogical society to whom WAS as
signed the duty of drafting plan for a
State Board of Education. after stud Y
and deliberation decided that Board
like that of Massachusetts. with some
slight changes would best meet the
needs of Maine.
The Massachusetts Board of Education
consists of the Governor. Lieutenant
Governor, and eight persons appoint d
by the Governor with the advice and
consent of the Council.
Each person appointed Is TO hold Office
eight years from the time OF his appoint
ment and one to retire each year in order
of appointment.
1t may hold in trust requests made to
it for educational purposes.
IL annually appoints its own secretary
who performs most of the duties like
those performed by our State Superin-
tendent. The legislature fixes his salary.
1t appoints agents To visit cities aud
towns to inspect aud aid in educational
work.
It's members have no salary. but their
expenses incurred in the discharge of
their official duties are paid by the Stat
1t has the general management of the
several State Normal Schools.
1t requires reports from all education
al institutions that are helped by the
State.
This board was established in 1887 and
has had rs its members some of the most
prominent scholars of the state. The
method is most satisfactory in its work
1 IN,
tinction of being the foremost state in
the union in educational progress.
The Pedagogical council sent Their
preliminary report to so leading educa-
tors of Maine. Replies have been re.
ceived from 81 all but two of whom en-.
dorsed the main proposition that we
should have Board of Education
After carefully weighing the many
valuable suggestions received the Peda-
gogical council suggest as a working
basis:
That the board should be non-parti-
san.
1t should consist of six or seven mem.
bers a majority of whom shall be engag-
ed in educational work.
The members of the board should be
appointed by the Governor with the ad-
vice ard consent of his Council.
Each member should serve as many
years rs there are members on the board
the term of one expiring each year.
The board should have charge of the
Normal schools, and such care of the ex.
penditure of money granted by the State
TO other educational institutions as now
devolves upon the Governor and Coun.
ell
The members of the board should
serve without compensation, except
actual necessary expenses when visiting
such institutions as may be put in then
care, and when attending meetings OF
the board
The board should annually elect its
secretary, who should perform the
duties now performed by the State
uperintendent Of Common Schools, and
whose salary shall be fixed by the Iegis.
lature."
The members of the Council of the
Maine Pedagogical society are Geo. {.
Purington, b. l.. Whitman. G. A.
robertson, Mary ). Snow, Geo. B. Files.
o. NJ. Lord, E. p. Sampson, ID j. Callahan
/ They are getting the subject before the
people with the object of getting their
opinion and cooperation as far in as is
possible.
For the purpose of obtaining the
opinion of club women, the educational
committee of the Maine Federation have
distributed circulars to the clubs with
the request that each item he carefully
considered and the resul reported. The
Woman's club began the consideration of
the matter at the last meeting and will
continue it at the next.