The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-01-23

Board of Education
AS a judicial officer he is required to
render opinions and give advice in all
questions arising under the school law; to
give decisions in all controversies arising
from the suspension of pupils and the dis
missal of teachers; to administer all ne
cessary oaths OF affirmations to school
officers; and to consult with and advise
patrons, school officers and teachers.
AS school supervisor his sphere of &C
tiyity is still more comprehensive. 1t is
his duty to preside at all sessions Of the
county teachers institute; to prepare pro-
grams for the annual observance of Arbor
Day; to examine candidates for scholar
ships to the State Agricultural College; to
prepare uniform course of study for the
schools under his supervision, establish a
standard of graduation and conduct ex-
aminations therefor; to establish pedagog-
ical libraries, prescribe a course of pro-
| fessional reading for each of the several
grades of teachers and judge as to its in
| telligent completion; to act as chairman of
the County Board of Examiners supervise
the difficult and perplexing task of grad
ing examination papers and make final
appraisement of all answers of doubtful
value; to advise the State Board of Elk
aminers of the standing and efficiency of
candidates for State certificates; to prepare
and issue circulars of information and in
struction to teachers and school officers,
and to distribute ali such documents re-
ceived from the Department of Public In
struction; to direct boards of education in
the matter of bonding districts for build
| ing and repairing school houses; to collect
and tabulate the school statistics of his
county and forward the same, together
with comprehensive report, specifically
setting forth the progress and condition of
its schools and the sanitary condition of
it's school buildings and last but not
least, to exercise general supervision over
| from 40 to 100 schools and visit each
school an average of twice per year. As
though all the preceding executive, ju-
dicial and professional duties of the
County Superintendent were not sufficient
| ly comprehensive and explicit and he
might fail to earn his princely salary, he
is further enjoined ito labor to elevate
the standard of teaching and improve the
condition of the schools in his county, !"
| and as means to such an end, ITO give
such directions in the science, art and
methods of teaching as he may deem ex-
pedient."
For superintendent to make fair APP
proach to meeting all of the aforesaid re-
quirements he should be skilful account
ant and must needs possess exceptional ex-
ecutiye ability, quick apprehension and
unerring Judgment; large techinal know
ledge and professional skill, Astounding
health, force of character, energy, courage
tact, and then devote all his time and con
secrate all the power of such broad and
strong equipment to his official duties. That
services so necessary and of so high an or
der may not go unrequited, section LIST,
page 1854, P. L. 1892, provides as follows:
in order to enable County Superinten-
discharge Of the duties of their Office, and
to properly examine and direct the schools
under their charge, by frequent visits to
said schools, and counsel and direction to
teachers in proper methods of instruction,
their yearly salary shall be at the rate of
125 cents for each child in the county, be-
tween the ages of 8 and is years, as ascer-
tanned by the last annual report of the
State superintendent provided, that the
salary shall in no case be less than $500
nor more than 81, 300"
The preceding is the most absurd quo
tation it is possible to make from the
pages of our school law and is responsible
for the most anomalous thing in our
school system The first half indicates
not only correct but scholarly and
even professional appreciation Of super
intendents duties, and the last half clear
" disproves such appreciation. 1t seems
incredible that the same minds that con-
ceived, mapped out and so clearly and in
diligently defined his varied and respon-
sible duties should also have fixed the mat
ter of compensation.
The maximum compensation above
named is much less than the average sal
airy paid to school principal There is
hardly County Superintendent in the
State who is not brought into frequent
contact with underpaid teachers who are
receiving larger salaries than himself.
This is an offense to his dignity and a
handicap to his usefulness. As the null
titude is accustomed to judge specifically
it also accounts for the erroneous and low
estimate placed upon his services. One
of our County superintendent recently
resigned to accept the principalship of Q
primary school at an increase in salary OF
$500 per annum. In no other line Of
effort is supervision rated below service in
subordinate capacity. For the State tC
thus rate it, is little to its credit and moi
good evidence of it's ability to properly ad
minister its school affairs That service
SO important and exacting should have
been so long moderated and underpaid Ii
$ unaceountable. Surely ''the eternal fit
ness of things" is not always controlling
: Influence in educational matters.
Though the duties of the County Su
! perintendent exceed those of the City Su
, perintendent in range, and in difficulty,
delicacy and value are not whit inferior
. he receives but from one-third to one-hali
!; as much salary In addition to offering a
rate of compensation which, though bare
Iy commensurate with the service requir
ed, will yet command the highest orde
of qualification, the city board of educa
ton knows no restrictions in its selection
1t is at liberty to obtain the best servic
n its funds will secure, whether it be foun'
e in New Jersey, or comes from Maine
J, Massachusetts or California. The Stat
}. Board of Education has but meagre sun
e placed at its command and is limited t.
/ candidates from the county to be super
IS vised. What perpfexing and well nigl
it impossible task is thus imposed upon thi
honorable body.
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