The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-07-02
Prof. Willard N. Parker Gives an In
teresting Opinion in Regard to
Superintendent.
HOLDS AGAINST Mr.. BAKER.
HIr. Parker Says That Superintendent Must
Give His Entire Time to the Work of
the Schools,

Willard N. Parker, formerly Assist
ant Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
ton in the State, the editor of the
Wisconsin Journal of Education and
the best posted man in the State on
school matters and school laws, has
given his opinion in regard to the
nominal Superintendent of Schools,
and this opinion has such close bear
ing on the case in Kenosha that it is
well worthy of reproduction.
Mr.. Parker's opinion shows that it
is positively impossible for Mr.. Baker
to hold the office of Superintendent of
the schools of Kenosha and continue
in the practice of Law. He also holds
that the Superintendent must show
that he has legal qualifications for the
Office before he can hold it.
The article Of Mr.. Parker taken from
the June issue of his paper is as fol-
lows:
"No act relating to education passed
by the last Legislature will tend to
elevate the profession of teaching
more than the nominal superinten-
deucy bill, known as No. 113 S, intro
duced by Senator Beach of Walworth
county. At one time this bill was ap-
parent1y dead, but it came to life in
the closing days, was passed, signed,
and published May Is, on which day it
became operative.
/. Every city Superintendent of
schools must hereafter possess the
same legal qualifications as those re-
quired of high school principal.
2. The city Superintendent must
devote his entire time to the teaching
or supervising work.
! 3. The city Superintendent must be
elected by the School Board.
A. In all cities of the third and
fourth class not now conforming to
these conditions, the Office of city
Superintendent ceases to exist at the
expiration of the present incumbent's
term Of Office, and his professional
duties are transferred to the High
School Principal, or to one chosen by
the School Board and whose whole
a.
For the last FIVE years Wisconsin
schoolmasters have been fighting fof
their professional rights. and it is a
matter of pride to them to know that a
great step has been taken toward plac-
ing the professional supervision of our
city public schools in the hands of
those especially prepared for that
work. Hereafter the druggist, the
blacksmith, the minister, and others,
can not get in the city SUPPLEMENTARY
of schools as a side issue and take all
the honors for work done by the actual
principal and his corps of teachers.
The money which has been practically
thrown away on useless officer may
now be used toward giving the Princi-
pal, who assumes actual supervisory
powers under this law, compensation
somewhat commensurate with his
duties.
Another good thing about this new
law is that it places the control of the
city schools in the hands of the School
Board where it rightfullY belongs.
Heretofore, by the provisions of some
special charters, the Common Council
has elected the city superintendent of
Schools. In a few places he has been
placed upon party ticket and voted
for at the polls, which means po1iti-
cal Office, the candidate being merely
rewarded for political labors performed
in the interest of his party. Out of
politics. We are advancing rapidly
toward this desired end. Let politi-
clans run politics, but keep their hands
off that sacred institution of the peo-
p1e-the public school"