New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-04
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.

One of the most vital things in connection with
the high schools which the Board Of Education
has decided TO establish in this city is the Sc
lection of principals, for upon the choice of men
of the right stamp the proper organization Of
the schools and their success will largely de-
pend The appointment of these officials is the
duty of the Board of Education, but the Board
cannot act as a free agent. Under the reform
school law Of last year a large Board of Super
intendents was brought into existence, charged,
among other things with the nomination OF
teachers for appointment and transfer Accord
ingly the high school principals must first be
nominated by the superintendent, and the NOM
nations are then subject to confirmation or re-
lection by the Board Of Education. The ques-
ton of principals for the new schools has been
under consideration for many weeks, and
careful canvass of large number Of candidates
has been made.
The Board Of Education proposes to pay the
principals salaries sufficiently liberal to secure
the services Of the most capable men to be found
in the country. and the progressive members,
now happily in the majority, are determined,
if possible, to obtain the best available talent.
One of The things which they deem essential is
that the appointees shall have had practical ex-
perience in the organization or conduct of high
schools. On the other hand, there appears to be
a disposition in the minds of some of the associ-
ate superintendens TO fill the new places by the
promotion of men already engaged in the work
of public education in this city; that is, they
would place in charge of the high schools those
who's only experience has been as principals Of
grammar schools. 1t has even been limited that
some OF the associate superintendent them
ha 70 hp pCi1
candidates for places at the head Of the high
schools In the existing situation there Is plain
" the possibility of n conflict between the Board
of Education and the Board Of Supcrntendents.
If not. indeed. Of a deadlock This would Of
course. be exceedingly unfortunate
An early decision Of the question is desirable
if New York is to have the right men in charge
Of an important undertaking at It's initial and
critical stage. The High School Committee and
the better element in the Board of Education
are undoubtedly correct in maintaining that if
this city is to have high schools they should be
started in jhe best way and under the direction
of experienced educators. If the right men are
already in New-YCrk well and good; let them
disclose themselves and be appointed. If they
are not to be found here let the School Com
missoners and the School Superintendent find
them wherever they are, III the East or the
West What we need Is the best men who
can be induced to come to the metropolis and
take up what is a new line Of educational work
so far as this city is concerned. No question
OF local talent or supposed patriotism should
be taken into account. The theory on which the
large Board Of Superintendent was created IS
an excellent one, but it will receive n hard blow
if at the first critical point that has been reached
under the new system the superintendent, or
a majority of them, from selfish or narrow mo-
tives fail In their duty Several Of them are
known 70 be in full sympathy with the High
School Committee. and 1t is to be hoped that
their associates will realize the Importance OF