The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-20
CHANGES
IN SCHOOL
METHODS
New Board to Have Myers
as Counsel Favor Sal
aried Architect.

The nine members of the new APP
persede the present elective body of
thirty-two members on January /. had
their first preliminary meeting yester-
day in the Mayors office in the City
Hall. and discussed proposed changes
in the administration of educational
affairs.
As has been told in the EVENING
STAR, changes that will revolutionize
the entire department were taken into
consideration, and several tentatively
agreed upon by the new commissioners.
There was no attempt to reflect on the
present school board and no direct criti-
cism of 1t AZ a board. Nothing definite
zig ~ the rules that are ultimately to be
whipped into shape was finally approved,
but the foundation of a code for the gov
eminent of the schools and the board it
self was laid in the interchange of ideas.
Provided the attempt of the elective
commissioners TO prevent the appointive
officials from taking office does not bear
fruit, the administration of next year will
be a very different proposition from that
OF this and the past ten years or SO.
1t was tentatively agreed that there
should be a very much smaller number of
committees to handle the work OF the
board. Il is probable that il the small
board is ~unhampered and is permitted to
assume office there will be but three COM
mitiees IN place OF the nine standing COM
mittees of the present board.
There will probably be one committee
10 handle the work Of the present teachers
committee, the committee on evening and
draw living schools, and all work pertaining
TO the actual teaching and supervising
stan Of the schools. The purchase of sup
pics, the supervision of repairs and all
similar work will be handled by a single
committee. The miscellaneous work Of
other committees will be under charge of
q third committee. The committees will
have less authority than under the pres
ent administration. IL the discussion of
yesterday indicates the new policy that
IS TO prevail. The board itself will do the
major portion Of the work. BY having
three committees OF three members each,
it will be possible to avoid having the
same men on several committees.
There will be no legislative committee
Not that there was any definite action ON
thar particular point, but the min men
couldn't Just see the necessity of trips TO
Trenton. Legislation would be a matter
for the entire board TO consider, 1t was
felt.
one proposition that seemed to be gem
FfdiiN lsRHfeN Adh liiE tdEiN appointment
OF a salarled school architect as was pre-
dicted IN the EVENING STAR. That has
been laid before the elective board on sew
efal occasions. but q majority has been
against Il for one reason or another. The
real opposition was based on the fact that
If a school architect were named the choice
patronage now at the disposal OF the
members would be taken away. The city
vii, spend within the next year 100000 OF
the appropriation made for new school
work this year in architects commissions
II was pointed out during the conference,
Duriag the discussion city Counsel
James r. Nugent made a brief address,
stating that Assistant City Attorney
Charles NJ. Myers had been assigned by
him 10 look after the legal affairs of the
new Board of Education. Mr.. Myers. II
was stated, would attend all meetings
unless desired otherwise, and would at all
times be prepared to advise them as to
procedure or on knotty legal questions,
The Assistant City Attorney was a "reber'
School Commissioner a lumber of years
ago. and has strongly advocated the
change for which the people voted last
month.
Frederick f. Guild. one OF the members
Of The new board and a prominent lawyer,
with the City Counsel has prepared the
form of oath TO be administered The
meInpSis, IL was Sdlu iasl might Woulu
be In no hurry y be sworn into office.
DIR. a. b. Poland. city superintendent OF
schools. was the only person other than
the appoiDtees IT yesterdays conference.
Adjournment was taken TO 4 o'clock tomcr-
row afternoon. II was noted that all the
members were present at the hour appoint
ed yesterday. some Of them, in fact, being
ahead " time
Il is Understood ttat without comforting
with the men he has named to Office, the
Mayor is considering recommending that
the Legislature next yesr enact Il law that
will permit compensatirg the School Com
missioncrs ftr some part of the time theV
VIII be called upon to devote 70 their work
Gossip has it that either George w. Tom
kIns or Mr.. Guild win be chosen president
of the new board when l. organizes. Mr..
Guild mas been appointed for one year and
so may be gwen the honor. Mr. Tomkins
was named for 4 rwo-vear term.