The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1898-01-14
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN
Conducted by b. S. Gowen.

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Conducted by b. s. Gowen. u
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TRUSTEES.
For a year or more, there has been
a great deal of discussion on the sub
iect of tru stees their qualifications.
their duties, and their relation to the
teacher. In fact, hlrdly an educa-
tioual meeting of any prominence has
been held in the last twelve months,
that some phase OF the question has
not been UP for consideration.
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This certainly shows that the sui
iect is thought to DC an important one;
and whca it is remembered that board
of directors or trustees, by exercising
bad Judgment in employing teachers,
or by hampering and .handicapping
good ones whom they happen to Sc
cure, may seriously damage or even
ruin a school, then it will be realize
that the question is one of tremendous
Importance.
Board members themselves are te-
ginning to see that they do not under
stand their duty, and so, in the most
progressive sections, they are organ
izing and having periodic meetings in
order to exchange ideas, and learn
their duties more fully.
For them to speak of their own
shortcomings, and failures, should
have more weight than for a teacher
to speak of them; therefore ] shall
give some of the things said, some of
the positions taken, and some OF the
conclusions arrived at, in several of
these meetings
The question was raised as to how
much education board mem Der
should have One side took the posi-
ton that fine education was, if not a
necessity, at least a very desirable
thing. And there was much reason in
the arg ul1tulS duuuCCu
1t was claimed that a man of only
ORDINARY education cannot have
proper conception of education in its
broadest and most complete sense;
that he can not appreciate or see the
educational value of certain plans, or
methods, or appliances; and SO, will
think that the progressive teacher
who deviates from the old-time way,
is extravagant, impractical, or cranky;
and consequently, such men will be
opposed to all new departures, espec-
tally those that call for the expendi-
ture of money and a teacher with
such board will find himself so ham
dicapped, that he cannot keep abreast
with the times. Therefore, board
ought to be well up, especially on
pedagogy.
The other side admitted that there
was a good deal of truth in this reason
ing; but they took the position that it
would be better if board members
w. .:--r'- ---- Sr ga >~nmon
sense, plain practical business men, so
they could attend to the financial af-
fairs of the school, and let the teacher
attend to the others In support OF
this, the argument was made that in
nearly all cases where there has been
a clash between teacher and board, be-
cause of the boards alleged interior
ence in matters that belong to the
teacher, the trouble has been caused
by some member who thinks HIMSELF
better educated than the teacher, and
therefore thinks the teacher should
follow HIS advice,-in short, he thinks
he ought to be grand dictator 1t was
further claimed that men who cause
this trouble are usually men who have
taught little themselves, and think
that they know all that is to be known
about the business.
This naturally leads to the next
question is the true relation
between a board and the superinten-
dent or principal?"
In order to answer this question a
prominent mana board member
arose and said that the audience should
for the time being, imagine themselves
newly elected superintendent and
principals, and he would imagine him
self to be the chairman of the board
employing them. He then set forth
in a very clear and forcible speech,
the duties of the board on the one side,
and the duties of the teachers on the
other
The whole speech is brim full of
common sense, and 1 would like to
quote it in full, but it, alone, would
make about two columns; SO must be
content to give few extracts.
1--WE employ you to take charge of
our school, to organize and manage it.
We will manage the business or finan-
cial part of it, but the professional
part we turn over to you entirely, and
we shall not trespass upon your terri
tory.-yOur rights and your preropa-