Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-06-23
BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The initial steps looking to the better
ment of the public schools educational
system in this county were taken on Satur-
day in a Convention of the Boards of
Education of the various townships of the
county, held in the Academy this city.
County Superintendent of schools w. HI.
Eldridge called the Convention to order,
and State Superintendent Baxter made the
address outlining the present defects in the
school system and advancing reasons for a
County Board of Education. Among other
things he said We represent an interest
that makes us prosperous 10 times of peace
and powerful in times of war. When the
school master and the minister of the Cos
pei enjoy the influence that is theirs by
right, war and rumors OF war will become
only memories of the past. Education
makes nations all powerful, and, if the
school master had got in his work some
centuries ago, we would not now be en-
gagged in mortal conflict with the d ms
The administrative element in educational
matters is the District School Board. Your
service, while without compensation, is
one of the most important and honorable
to which any man can be called in the
affairs of State. There are communities
| fifty years behind the times, simply because
OF the lack of educational Influences and
the proper men to conduct the school
affairs. One of the objects of county or
ganizstion is to meet together for discus
sion, and to secure uniformity in the man.
agement of educational affairs in the
county. You all aim in the same direc-
ton practically, but you a'e pulling in
every direction because of lack of expert
ence.
n IL
You can avoid mistakes which cause the
State lots of trouble and loss of money.
The county association is to obviate these
difficulties and to build up a system of
schools for the best results in the educa.
tion of the rising generation. We can do
more for the educational sentiment by
coming in contact with the PEOPLE and
learning their needs There are wrongs
which must be riGhted, and the School
Boa1d is the power to accomplish the
work. Supervision is not what it should
be in many of our schools
Too many superintendent sit in their
offices and let the teachers conduct the
schools to suit themselves. This is a sad
mistake, for too often do we find teachers
deficient on many of the important line
Of work, which, if not attended to proves
the scholars. The superintendent who
does not go from school to school and room
to room and conduct the model lesson is
not doing his duty, for many studies are
neglected simply because teacher has a
hobby for certain branch and so the
superintendent fails in his duty if he does
not see to it that such things do not exist
Work, to be effective, must be systema
TIED
The weak point to-day in our system OF
education is the lack of supervision. Too
many schools 20 forward and back ward
year after year, and nothing is accom-
plished, except the spending of the school
money, and vast amount of money has
been wasted by the ineff, ctiveness of su-
pervision. Then again, there are too many
schools under the weak third grade teach
ers, who are not compelled to familiarize
themselves with national or civil history.
We should not issue third-grade certificates
in New Jersey. They are OF no use to ms
in the advancement Of citizenship. The
school, to prove its right to exist, needs to
teach patriotism and the duty of the pupils
to the State and nation.
Too many teachers merely struggle to
pass the examination and get license
professional certificate for efficiency in the
school room to all those who can attain to
tie standard of excellence which every
educational instructor should possess. We
want concentration of pupils. There are
too many schools under poor teachers. We
want central school, where the work can
be accomplished in an easy manner.
At the close of Superintendent Baxters
address, by unanimous vote the Boards
decided to effect an organization, to be
known as the Gloucester County Associa-
tion OF Boards of Education, and the fol- |
lowing officers were elected President,
William II. Met ullough, of Swedesboro
Vice Vresident, REV. J. j. Davies, of Null
ica Hill; Secretary, William L. Cooper, of
Woodbury. Treasurer, Isaac M. Derrick
son, of Repaupo; Executive Committee,
Charles w. Wilkins. of Thoroiare; j. r.
Downer, of Downer; Miss Elizabeth R
Chatham. of Mullica Hill; Mrs. E. g.
Shultz, of Wenonah. and Mrs. W. E.
Shock, of Wenonah.