Connecticut western news., 1908-03-19
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

SCHOOL
 It is most gratifying to THE NEWS to observe the rapidly increasing interest in education in Connecticut.
 For some time it has impressed those familiar with the educational systems in other states, particularly New York and Massachusetts, that, speaking in general, the nutmeg state has not been in the front rank with regard to i'm proved school methods.
 The school is one of the bulwarks of the nation and it is of vital importance that it should be carefully safeguarded in every possible way. Most careful at tention should be given to the matter of curriculum and the manner in which in- Struction in the various branches is inn parted. This is 8 generally conceded fact but it is often a difficult matter to decide which is the best method of bringing about the most desirable and beneficial results.
 The country school or common school, is the one which interests the greater portion of our readers and it is here, ac- cording to the report of the State Board of Education, that the most valuable work Is being done along lines tending to raise educational standards and 8 potent force has been the adoption of town supervision. We do not mean to be understood that this is the only factor that has proved beneficial to the schools but it may be said without fear of contradiction that it has been as valu- able as any other one thing. From a State Board report we take the follow ing reference to it.
 Wherever this policy has been fairly tried, whether ill the large cities or in the small country towns, tine recogni- tion of it's importance as 8 prime factor in the improvement of the public schools is nearly or quite universal. Practically, the question may be said to have passed the debatable stage. The chief benefits resulting from the employment of trained and skillful superintendents are these: better schoolhouses, better teachers, more regular and increased at F0OAuOASOp SAOdOC1 OSOAOA4J bl10 CA- ipenditure of money, and greater inter est in the schools on the part of pupils, parents and the community in general"
 And the law provides that superin- tendent must be capable. He or she must have had at least five years suc- oessful experience as a teacher or super intendent, or must hold certificate of approval by the State Board of Educa- tion. The law permits two or more towns to unite for the purpose of employing superintendent for the joint district.
 School committeeman do not lose their powers when superintendents are em- ployed. They prescribe the limits of the superintendent work and the superintendent, in turn, prescribes work limits for the teachers, makes a special study of education and keeps the teachers informed of the latest and best in educational theory and practice.
 A town employing not more than ten teachers may apply to the State Board of Education to appoint super intendent, the town paying one-fourth and the state three-fourths of the salary. ten, superintendent of considerable experience may be able to take charge of the schools of such town in addi- tion to his work ill larger place, thus giving the small country towns the advantage of having super. vision of equal efficiency with that of the larger towns.
 North Canaan is one of the towns where supervision has proved most satisfactory and neither teachers, school board nor the general public would favor return to the former system and it is predicted that in the near future the plan will be adopted by numerous other towns in Litchfield County.
 Nearly every Board of Education in the land is now seeing to it that the schoolhouse doors swing outward. How true the old saying about the stolen horse and the locking of the door.
 Connecticut's congressman Lilley has the people looking his way in Washing ton, some of them with apprehension.
 The low temperature of Tuesday turned off the sap aucets.
 It is high time to begin saving up that vacation money.
 Also, to remain prepared for relapses of winter.
 Also, to get ready for the trout season.