The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-30
TEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A Correspondent Who Believes Ia Local
- Trustees.

Editor OF The Times:
Sir,-As no subject before the people at
the present time has a more vital lr-
ing upon the future welfare of our believed
Commonwealth than that OF popular edu-
cat ton, the discussion now being conducted
in your valuable paper should be OF IN
terest not only to those engaged in pub
lie school work, but also to all who desire
the upbuilding of their State. Though
most OF the suggestions made for improv-
ing our schools are wise and timely, 1t
seems to the writer that those who so
logically advocate the system of local
trustees have reached the correct solu-
ton Of that problem.
After coming into contact with teachers
from all over our Southland at the Pea
body Normal College. and after five years
experience as teacher in the State of
Georgia, where each school is managed by
it's own trustees, the conclusion is strong
in the writer's mind that such system
has great advantage over the one now IN
vogue in our State.
In the first place, the election OF the
trustees by the patrons OF a school arouses
an interest in it that would be otherwise
wanting. They are made to feel that it
is their school and that its success de-
ponds upon their efforts. The result Is
that better attendance follows and patrons
are MOE ready to Cooperate with the
teacher in anything that tends to improve
ment All teachers know how the work
of discipline and instruction is aided when
they are receiving the support and CO.
operation of the childrens parents and
how difficult the work is when these are
withheld.
The trustees having their interest CEN
tered in one school will use their best en-
deavors to procure the most competent
teacher possible and as representatives OF
he will
the school in every way. In Georgia.
where no school-houses are built by the
State, but by the trustees and patrons.
great pride is shown in the matter OF
buildings. Rivalry among the dlferens
schools induces the trustees to provide
most creditable buildings and school APP
pliances. Since this is done In Georgia,
is it not reasonable to suppose that under
a like system in Virginia trustees and
patrons would not depend entirely upon
State assistance, but would go ahead ana
make necessary improvements or assist
the State in doing so?
But by far the greatest advantage OF
local control Of schools would be the con-
solidation of public and private schools
The writer during his residence In Georgia
never heard of a strictly private school
below the college grade. a town or COM
munity. through its trustees, selects the
teacher or teachers desired and continues
its school as. long term as is "lSneu-
OF course, only those studying the public
school branches alone are allowed free
tuition, and that only during tine public
term During the public term those pur-
suing the higher branches must pay tut
ton. and all are charged during the re-
mainler of the session. But such charges
are far smaller than would have to be
paid in strictly private school. and y
such system far better grade OF bo0
nublic and private schools is secured. M
stead of having several schools with one
teacher in each, we should have one school
with several teachers doing far better
work.
So 1t appears to me that the system q
local control and supervision OF the public
schools would result In arousing greater
interest in the schools ON the part OF the
patrons, In securing higher grade OF
teachers. in providing better school build
ings and appliances. and In consolidating
the public and private schools. enabling
parents to give their children the best
education at the least cost. In view OF
these advantages It is to be hoped thai
the Constitutional Convention will adopt
this reform along with the others pro-
posed. JOHN =. II -ta-4a1'-t1'.
Streets. va, March q. 1902
J. IT. Turner, NJ D.. Of New York. ana
lanes Amesbury. OF Albany. N y. whd
have been visiting Mr.. Lee Todd, have re-