The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-04-16
STATE CONVENTION OF SCHOOL
DIRECTORS.

The following paper was read be-
fore the County Convention of
School Directors in the Normal
Auditorium, March 1908, by Fred
B. Hartman on questions raised at
the Directors State Convention
held at Harrisburg, Pa.
At the last session of our State
legislature Joint Resolution was
passed by both houses providing for
the appointment of an educational
com mission by the Governor con-
sisting of seven members, the pur-
pose of which as set forth in the
resolution is Ito collate and reduce
to one act all of the school laws of
the State now in force and to pre-
pare and submit such bills to the
next legislature as they shall deem
necessary to make the public schools
of this commonwealth more COM
prehensive and better adapted to
the needs of its citizens"
This action has caused a great
interest in the improvement of our
school system OH the part of all the
active school forces of the State, an
evidence of which was plainly mani
fest in the sessions of the recent
State Convention of School Direc-
tors. Never before in our history
has there been such a disposition on
the part of our Governor and legis-
lature to do great things for our
schools, and everywhere there is
feeling that we may expect Won
derful advancement in the near
future. Our State Superintendent.
DIR Schaeffer, who is president of
this commission came before our
convention, not 50 much to discuss
our problems as to raise in our
minds few questions in the hope
that the directors of the State might
express their opinions and thus aid
this commission in their solution.
SCHOOL DIRECTORS.
Is change in the number of
school directors desired
During the last school year there
were one hundred and ninety dead.
locks in the school boards of Penn
sylvania.
Would an odd number of direct
ors be preferred? Say S, 7 ORG.
And how should they be selected?
In some cities they are appointed
by the Judges.
Indiana has but one director for
each school District; while the State
of New Jersey has no district school
directors, but instead has a central
board of education.
Should more power be delegated
to the school board; or should their
powers be curtailed?
The present power of the school
board is almost unlimited. They
can do most anything, most every
thing, or almost nothing.
The school board used to exam.
inc as we'll as employ the teacher;
but later the Superintendent comes
on the stage of action.
In days gone by the school board
made the length of the school term,
and the salary of the teacher as
we'll. Bot later both have been
practically attended to by existing
laws.
Would it be better to delegate to
some other body the power to make
our course of study? And the Sc
lection of text books And would
that new body be in shape to pur-
chase supplies of better quality,
better adapted and for less money!
In this State the school board, in
connection with the teachers, do
this and most anything else they
wish to do.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDRNTS.
Inasmuch as the work which the
county superintendents are called
upon to do has been practically
doubled during the last few years
on account of the great increase of
schools, the new duties which are
necessary now that were not de-