Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-07-12
Duties of New Education Beard
Defined

Defined
The Richmond Times-D Dispatch Of
Sunday, in discussing the duties Of the
State Board of Examiners and Inspec-
tors, says;
The action OF the State Board Of
Education In creating the State Board
of Examiners and Inspectors for the
public schools Of Virginia is causing
much comment in political circles,
some favorable, some unfavorable, to
the action taken. The boards action
is authorized by a statute recently
passed, but not specifically required
thereby.
The State Board of Examiners and
Inspectors consists of FIVE men, each
OF whom is to preside over q circuit
consisting on the average of twenty
counties and three cities, and who are
to serve for a term OF three years.
The first appointees are to serve thus:
Two for one year, two for two years
and one for three years, thereafter all
to serve full terms. The remuneration
OF these new school officials is to be
81, 800 per annum each. with an extra
allowance Of $500 per annum for ex-
penses. The details of the plan o1tlin-
ing the powers and duties OF the inspec
tors and examiners covers eight or ten
typewritten pages. Acknowledgement
Anderson, member OF the board,
is recorded as voting i9 the negative
on the proposition to create this
board, with the duties and functions
as prescribed. The date at which the
new officials begin to draw salary Is
nowhere stated, but 1t is said to be
September /, 1905.
Many OF those who critlcise the
creation Of the new board and the
expenditure Of $4,000, which 1t
necessitates, characterize 1t as a fifth
wheel in the educational system,
Many have asked thequestion: What
is 1t forP'' Those who defend the
action and commend it declare that 1t
will result in great good to the schools,
increasing their efficiency and improv-
ing thir standard and affording the
more efficient supervision for which
udueators have been clamoring. The
opponents declare that this is what
the division superintendent are
for,
The most important function OF the
new board is the examination OF teach
ers for certificates, but this is but one
OF multiplicity of duties, some OF
which are but vaguely outlined. The
provision for examination of teachers,
If enforced by the board, will proba-
bly, result in the elimination OF many
now employed in the rural schools,
and in fact the requirements are placed
so high that in the opinion OF some
we'll known educators 1t is too much to
expect any one tomeasure up to them
for the very small salaries paid.
Special examinations are required for
teachers OF higher branches in the
grammar schools and the high schools.
The applicants must be examined on
such higher branches as they be re-
quired to teach 1t is provided, how
ever, that graduates Of colleges and
universities of approved standing and
reputation shall be permitted to teach
in snch schools branches in which they
have graduated.
Another section stipulates that the
State Board OF Examiners and Inspec-
tors may issue first grade certificates
to guy applicant therefor presenting
diploma of full graduation (equiva-
lent to B.A. degree) from any college
or university Of approved standing:
and a second grade certificate to any
graduate OF the State Female Normal
School at Farmville, the William and
Mary Normal, the Virginia Normal
and Industrial Institute at Peters
burg, and the Hampton Normal and
Agricultural Institute.
1t will be seen from this that the
young ladies from the Farmvllle Nor
NAL, which is considered the highest
standard in this State, are not given
first grade certificate without
having to stand an examination tn ere
for like those who have never had
their advantages and preparation.
Among the "duties to trustees, " the
following are enumerated: to hold con-
ferenoes with them Individually and
collectively, and to procure their active
interest and support IN behalf OF dis
trict schools; to encourage trustees to
hold meetings of patrons in interest OF
better school conditions; to give trus-
tees such adyics and enlightenment as
may enable them the better to per-
form their duties.
Among the duties to schools" are
these; To visit In each county as
many schools as possible and 70 note
carefully the work OF the teachers; to
offer advice as to improving and
beautifying school grounds, etc. to
visit especially each high school, and
to use effort to bring these schools
under the conditions prescribed there
for by the State Board Of Education
to cid In organizing local educational
associations.
Among ths "duties to teachers are
these: TO hold examinations, Issue
certificates and prescribe courses o
reading. to fix the time for ,eKsmins
ton of teachers. Oi which ter days
nublic notice shall be given; to pre-