The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-09-05
SUGGESTIONS,
State Superintendent
Barrett Makes to the
School Boards.
Points Out Duties of Directors and
Urges Strict Compliance with
Statutes Concerning Edu-
cation.

erintendent Barrett, addressed to
boards of directors. 1t contains many
useful and interesting suggestions,
among which are the following:
In your election as members of the
board you have been highly honored.
You are also charged with grave re-
spoDsibillty. To direct the schools with
success is the most important work in
any community. Upon you depends in
a large measure the moral tone and the
intellectual standard to which they at
tain. The proper care of grounds and
buildings, the economical expenditure
of school funds, and the employment
of good teachers, are duties that chal-
lenge your best executive ability.
Of all the duties that devolve upon
the board of directors, the most i'm.
portant is that of securing efficient
teachers. Fine grounds, good buildings
end modern equipment are much to be
desired, yet they avail but little without
the beneficial influence of the highest
type of strong manhood and woman.
hood in the person of the teacher.
Boards should demand good scholar
ship, professional training, an attrac-
tive manner, and successful experience;
ana tor such qualifications they should
pay good wages. In order to get and
keep the best teachers it is necessary to
employ them by the year instead of by
the term. The truth of this PROPOSE
ton has been demonstrated again and
again in the town nd city schools, and
we urge that boards in the rural schools
adopt the same plan for the coming
year.
Sec. 277S provides that the board
shall elect all teachers; but this was
amended by the last general assembly
to the effect that IN school township
'the board may authorize any sub-dl.
rector to employ teachers for the
schools in his sub-district." This
change still leaves the matter of select
ing teachers wholly in the hands OF the
board, the director having no author
Iity until it is given by vote Of the
board, when in regular or special ses-
sion. And a resolution granting such
authority may be rescinded at any time
by majority Of the board. No change
has been made in regard to the con-
tract, which, as heretofore, "must be in
writing, signed by the president and
teacher, and, filed with the secretary,
llander such contract"
/ Every teacher whois paid from the
public funds must have certificate
from the county Superintendent or the
state board of educational examiners.
Sec. 278S is explicit in it's requirement
that mo person shall be employed as a
teacher in a common school which is to
receive its distributive share of tine
school fund without having certificate
Of qualification given by the county
superintendent of the county in which
the school is situated, or certificate or
diploma issued by some other officer
duly authorized by law, and no com
pensation shall be recovered by 6
teacher for services rendered while with
out such certificate or diploma" Il
boards of directors give superintendent
hearty support in their efforts to adhere
: strictly to the recommendations of this
department for uniformity in examina'
tons and certificates, the effect will b
to raise the standard of qualification
among the teachers and secure bette
work in the schools.
The circular treats of school libraries a
some length, dwells upon the increasing
interest in the project and calls attention
to the rules governing such Libraries.
Section 2772 provides for the adoption
of a course of study for the schools Of
your corporation. Too many board
neglect this important subject. 1t il
generally admitted that much bette
results may be obtained if teacher vii
follow some uniform plan in giving
:, instruction to children. 1t is highl.
I important that all interested in tn
{ promotion of our highest educa tiona
i interests should labor together in tn
o work of classifying and harmonizin
our schools;we suggest the adoption of
@ resolution somewhat similar in form t
q the following:
3 Resolved. That the course OF study il
r the edition Of the hand. book for Iowa
j. Schools for 1899 Is adopted for use in tn
: schools Of this corporation and al
g teachers are hereby directed to follow
s. this course of study.in the instruction
i given by them in the schools unit
IS further notice.
Q In this connection your attention !
If called to chapter 100 of the laws of 1900
S which requires that the elements o
n vocal music be taught in all of the pub
II lie schools of the state. The matter
; not left optional with the directors
r The amount of time that should be de
o voted per week to instruction in thi
+ branch is left to your discretion. Thi
le law plainly indicates that only the ele
o ments of music are to be taught
Il Teachers have quite generally attempt
II ed to qualify themselves to give such in
Il struction as the law contempiates shal
be given. We feel that we can safel