Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-20
CONVENTION OF SCHOOL OFFICER
Several Changes in Existing Laws AR,
Recommended.

6cNGEAl manages IN E1letInK LA"h Arc
Recommended.
The second ennual convention of school
Officers of Pottawattamie county, held yes
terday in this city. was attended by about
sixty men and women who are responsible
for the management of the rural schools
throughout the county. Much interest was
displayed by the officers present in the
matters discussed and the gathering was
conceded TO be a most successful one in
every particular.
The sessions were held in the office OF
E r. jackson, county superintendent of
schools. in the court house. 1t had been
planned to adjourn early in the afternoon
so as to enable the visitors to take in the
National Horticultural congress-, but there
were SO many important matters to discuss
that the convention did not adjourn until
about 6 o'clock.
The following resolutions, reported BY a
committee consisting OF Directors E. Hawk
ins of Lewis township, NJ. Palmer of Valley
township and J. Buchanan of Nicola, were
adopted by the meeting:
Whereas. Pursuant to the acts of the last
general assembly, there was created a com
mittee on revision and recodification Of the
schools laws of Iowa, and,
Wheras. Said has it's report
completed and the same will be before the
Thirty-third general assembly that convenes
In Des Moines in January, 1903. and,
Whereas, The members Of the forthcom-
ing legislature are DESTROYS of obtaining
the sentiment Of the people of the various
school corporations of Iowa, therefore, we
commend the work of Superintendent Z. r.
Jackson In calling this convention Of school
officers and directors for the purpose OF
considering the changes and additions to
our school law, which we feel are essential
to the best interests OF our educational sys-
tenn. We extend a vote OF thanks to all
who have been present at and participated
in the discussions of this convention and
who have in any way contributed to make
this meeting a. success, and we wish to
mention especially the addresses Of Attor-
ney w. H killpack and of eX-Superintend-
ent r. c. Barrett, and we recommend that
their addresses be published by the county
superintendent and copies of the same be
furnished TO all school officers and teachers
of Pottawattamie county.
Be II further resolved, by the school direc-
tors in convention assembled, that it is the
sense OF this convention that the forth
coming legislature of Iowa shall 50 change
and amend our school law that greater
efficiency shall come from the rural schools
without greater increasing the burden of
taxation of those who support them. To
this end, We favor the following changes:
We favor such legislation as will enlarge
the authority Of the subdirector. We believe
that this officer should be chosen for a
period Of at least three years and hat he
should be given authority under the sub
district organization 10 retain a teacher
whose proficiency has been demonstrated
he should have authority, If necessary. to
increase the compensation Of said teacher.
We believe, further, that there should be
such change In our law that the subdi-
rector should receive compensation for his
time spent In the discharge OF his duties.
board of directors, Of which he is a MEM
We favor such legislation as will tend
70 make those who enter into contracts n
teach under the direction of a board Of ed-
ucation feel that the contract is equally
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that will permit boards of education in
rural communities 10 elect teachers for a
educStion IN i mgnie SRg to on ele efaF rcSo 81
ing five years.
We further favor a change in the school
laws in reference to the selection OF a tru-
ant officer. We believe that II should read
that board Of directors in all school cor
Doratons must elect a truant officer, and
said officer shall be paid for the proDer
discharge Of his duties such compensation
as shall be deemed just and proper by the
board Of education electing such officer.
Be II further.
Resolved. That a copy OF these resolutions
~ueation at Dies Moines. to the press of the
city and TO each member OF the legislature
After discussing 1.-The Teacher Problem"
from all points of the compass and in all
its phases, the following general conclusion
were reached by the directors: II a teacher
in a rural school desires TO leave a position
she is under contract 10 fill, she had better
be permitted to resign. for If compelled to
stay against her viii. her services viii
likely be Of doubtful value. II she is a
good teacher and wants TO leave because
OF a better salary offered elsewhere, the
directors ought to have authority to in
crease her compensation. II she is an in
different teacher she Is expensive at anv
salary. II a teacher becomes entan1laa A.,
Dan cupid's meshes and on this account
wishes to resign her position there is no
remedy.
The p. c. De Vol Hardware Co. Is making
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