Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-03-31

bill continues to meet with the Sc
we're criticism IL deserves. There are
a number of Objectionable features
TO the bill, any or which are sufh-
cient TO condemn IL.
One of the most Objectionable fea-
lures Is the provision that
AN vacancies in the said boari
shall be filled by majority vote
of the remaining members OF aid
board. BUT NO PERSON SHALL BE
so SELECTED EXCEPT UPON THE
NOMINATION. OF THE suPERIX-
TENDENT OF SCHOOLS OF THE
DISTRICT
Judge Joseph NJ. Sanders admits.
in the communication which appear
ed in the Telegraph this morning
that this was "a serious objection. >
and said, land had that objec.lona-
bic feature not been e animated, as
understand 1t has. would not have
supported the bill"
He further says that "ths way this
feature has been eliminated. accord
ing to my understanding, Is that
Prof. Ford has agreed to nominate,
in writing, Capt. r.. III. Bailey and Mr.
p. j. Kelley" and "a to future troG-
Bile arising along this line, the leg
islature vii Inject in two years and
then this evil of the bill could be
corrected"
The bilf provides that the super
intendent must nominate members
of the boar dto iii "all vacancies.
We have had three vacancies on the
board OF education within the last
four months. 1t Is possible that evea
IL Capt. Bailey and Mr.. Kelley should
be placed on the board that there
would be enough vacancies within
the next few months to eaaSble the
superintendent to absc utely con .rol.
the board
Even granting that the present
superintendent wef.d not abuge his
powers In thi5 respect. If the people
ratify this bill 1t will remain law IN
til repealed and IL ratified the peo-
pie would have to vote upon the
question before amending 1t.
The people cannot afford to enact
a law which is admittedly bad with
the mere promise that It will be
amended If passed.
We are advised that Judge san
ders is attorney for the board OF ed
ucation. 1t is apparent from his
communication that the Judge was
not consulted with reference to the
bill, and that the bill was the Great
ure of Prof. Ford, in whose special
interest Il appears to have been
drawn.
The general Jaw provides that the
superintendent cannot be contracted
with for longer than enc year. This
is ample. as the board OF education
would not desire to dispense with the
services of a superintendent whose
work proved satisfactory, but have
the privilege OF relieving super
intendent whose services would not
be for the best interest of the
schools.
Under this provision the super
intendent may be contracted with
for as long as twenty-five years and
paid salary to the extent OF the
funds In the hands of thu board CT
education.
The bill further provides that the
Nsrd OF education may, upon the
recommendation Of the superintend-
ent, appoint as many assistant su-
perintendents as may be necessary,
etc.
It further makes It the duty of the
superintendent To recommend to Tho
board:
1st. Two competent persons to
act with him as an examining COM
mittee.
21d. A sufficient number Of teach
ers to fill the schools Of the district.
Ord. Competent persons to FIJI va
cancies in the office OF trustees ia
the various sub-diztricts; and
That no assistant superintendent,
supervisor. teacher. superintendent
office assistant or kindergarten teach
err shall be employed EXCEPT UPON
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
SUPERINTENDENp OF SCHOOLS.
There Is a proviso which 10 cal
culated 20 mis- cad, as It appears to
have been adroitly drawn. 1t reads.
PROVIDED, that should the SUI
perintendent OF schools. within ga
sonable time after being required 20
do so, fail or refuse to recommend
sufficient number OF persons under
this section 20 ill VACANCIES, the
board Of education may proceed to
iii such vacancies without his roc
ommendation"
It appears the board can only on
vacancies" Without the recommen-
dalton OF the superintendent Bhsa
he fails to recommend sufficient
number, ana tnat this provision on,y
i al a..