Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-04
ADVISES CLOSING SCHOOLS
Barrett Says This Is Better Than to
Hire Incompetent Teachers.

Des Moines. Nov. Estate Super
intendent Barrett has had his atten
ton called in striking way to the
almost alarming scarcity Of good
teachers in the schools Of the state
and in letter to the county superin-
tendent of Howard county, Miss Elsie
Z. Perry, he advises that schools be
closed rather than to have them
placed in charge of incompetent
teachers,
Mr.. Barrett recently received an in.
quiry from Miss Perry, who, like a
large number of county superintend-
ents, is in a quandary as to how to fill
the schools with teachers, in which
she asked whether she ought to fill
the schools with young and incompe-
tent school girls or let them remain
closed. In reply Mr.. Barrett has
written her. saying:
You state that you haven't enough
teachers to supply the schools Of your
county, and ask if you snail fill them
with young and incompetent school
girls, or let them remain closed?
CUuuly 10 VI ZIG
large number that does not have quail
flied teachers to keep the schools in
operation. We think the statute does
not impose upon the county superin-
tendent the duty Of providing the re-
CURED number of competent teachers.
1t is officially required of him that he
examine applicants at stated times
as to their competency in and ability
to teach statutory subjects and If
the examination Is satisfactory and
the applicant is Of good moral charac-
ter a certificate to that effect shall
be issued. In view of this plain pro
vision Of law we think the county
superintendent should positively re-
fuse to license the incompetent. One
whose general fitness to give instruc-
ton is known to be unsatisfactory.
should not be placed in charge OF the
children. With the utmost vigilance
on the part of the county superintend-
ent an occasional incompetent teacher
will be certifcated. To knowingly
grant certificates to the incompetent
would be the most fragrant violation
of law.
while 1t is not the official duty of
the county superintendent to furnish
teachers for schools of the county he
should give his most hearty co-opera-
tion to boards of directors in their eff
forts to secure hrst-class teachers,
previously certifcated as competent.
to give instruction. II is unfortunate
that any schools should remain
closed, but we think 1t Is preferable
to having children under the control
Of men or women known to be incom.
petent."
Superintendent Barrett was asked
whether there was not many expert
enced teachers at the State Normal
at Cdar Falls. who. II they knew of
vacancies, would gladly fill them. He
said President Seerley had advised
him that large number Of applica-
tions for teachers were coming to him
constantly. These were made public
in the hapel meetings, but 1t was
found impossible to provide teachers
for the places, the students generally
preferring to go ahead with their
studies at the State Normal. Reports
show that as the result of the scarcity
Of teachers, wages are being advanced
in many parts Of he state, and the
situation will doubtless be called tc
the attention of the state legislature
next session in an endeavor to have
more normal schools established.