Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-12-19
FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT.
TRUSTEES AND OTHER SCHOOL
OFFICIALS MEET.
They Organize For Effective Work
For Benefit of The School
System Through
out County.

so goodly number was not expected.
Governor Warheld, who had intend.
ed to be present and deliver an ad-
dress had telephoned early in the day
that the snow and hail storm would
probably make 1t impossible for coun-
try people to get to Annapolis, and
suggested if the meeting were post
poned he would oheerfully speak at
some subsequent date. His suggestion
was acquiesced ia for the time, but
late in the morning it was found that
the attendance had increased TO a
very respectable number of repTesen-
tative citizens, every district being
fairly we'll represented.
Mr.. George Il. Melvin called the
meeting TO order at II O'Clock and
briefly explained its purpose. An in
formal interchange of views followed
and the decided consensus of opinion
was that a permanent organization
ought TO be effected. Mr.. Joseph o.
Fowler made the following motion !:
That the district school trustees,
teachers, school officials and citizens
of the county present organize in the
name of "The School Improvement
Association of Anne Arundel Coun-
ty," whose principal object shall be !:
/. To secure a thoroughly organized
and efficient working board of district
school trustees in every school district
of the county. 2. To discuss ques-
tions relating to the management of
the public schools and especially the
improvement of local conditions in
the school districts and that Mr..
George II. Melvin be elected president
of the association
DR.. T.. II. Thompson in seconding
the motion spoke of the great good
that could be accomplished by such an
association and paid a high compli
ment to Mr.. Melvin for the effective
work he has done in improving the
schools. Mr.. Fowler called for a
vote ON the motion and it was unani-
mously adopted Mr.. Melvin on tax
ing the chair expressed his high ap-
probation of the honor of being select.
ed as the first president of the new
organization and promised his best
efforts towards making it power for
good in the work of school improve
mept. Mr.. Harry II. Wallis was
elected secretary, and Miss Louise
Linthioum assistant secretary.
State School uperintendent Steph.
ems who was present by invitation de-
livered very instructive address
which will be hereafter Published
Mr.. J. Montgomery Gambrill, treas
urer of the State Board of Education,
made short but interesting speech
from which we take the following:
1.-THE trustees being the school Off
cials who come in closest contact with
the schools themselves have great re-
sponsibilities aud great opportunities
to assist in the improvement of edu-
cational work. Principal teachers are
elected by the board of trustees and as
the teacher is the most important fac
tor in making a good school the prin-
cipal responsibility in such cases rests
with the trustees. I think it would
be particularly good thing if trus-
tees would make it a rule to make
these appointments only after consul
tation with the county soperin ten
dent.
Various qualities and qualifications
that 60 to make a good teacher can
be properly Judged only by trained
school man and the trustees ought not
to deny themselves and the school
the benefit OF expert advice when it is
readily available. Moreover, such a
plan would have the effect of bringing
the district trustees into closer rela-
tions with the county school board
whose executive the county superin-
tendent is and the sympathy and har-
monious work thus brought about
could not fail to produce very good
results Aside from merely official
acts it seems to me that the trustees
also have many valuable opportuni-
ties Every teacher must some time
face difficulties and the active sup
port of her trustees will be of immense
service in any difficulty. The trustees
can also be very useful in keeping
alive the Interest of the community in
the school and its work. They should
consider themselves leaders in this
direction.
"In obtaining better equipment for
schools Improvement of school grounds
and other enlarged opportunities for
good work the trustees can be of no
end of service to the work of the
school Intelligent and faithful in
terest and work on the part of public
school trustees in general throughout
the state would unquestionably result
in greatly Increased efficiency of the
public school system.
Mr.. Joseph o. Fowler warmly com :
mended the idea aud said the move
ment would unquestionably be produc-
tive of beneficial results as it would
tend to bring into the administration
of the schools the more active cooper
alton of the trustees and make il
plain to them what their duties are
/ under the law.
Mr.. James :. Smith county com-
missioner said he was ready to join in
/ the work Of school improvement and
believed it was taking a step in the
right direction.
Mr.. Arthur A. Downs also made @
few remarks urging energetic intelli-
gent work on the part of the trustees
Prof. w. 5. Grouse principal Of the
| Annapolis High School said
= rbe school trustees as their name
| implies are those TO whom tlie schools
| are finally intrusted. To them I
/ trust is committed They may not bs
| able unaided TO make the school es
| pecially intrusted to them a success
| because much is presupposed beforI
| they are intrusted with their duties
| The General Assembly must by its &C
/ launch the system of free public ID
/ struction and provide for its mainten
ance the state board must put int
| effect the will Of the legislative bod,
ard the board CT county school com